Kumuda which is extensively used in brhat trayi texts as well as in all nighantu works is identified as Nymphaea alba. The terms like kumudaghni (S.S.Ka.2/5) and kumudvati (S.S.Ka.2/5) are respectively mentioned in the context of ksira visa and phala visa by susruta. However, kudvati of bhavamisra is the synonym for kumudini. It is an aquatic plant with probably some similarity with kumuda as well with padma. Therefore, it is to be identified as Euryale ferox according to the author. Asima Chatterjee et al., reported Euryale ferox Salisb. As ighant. Author is of the opinion that kamala and sveta kamala (pundarika) are red and white lotus respectively while, kumuduni is fox nut.
Botanical Description – Very prickly, aquatic, annual herb with short rhizome.
Leaves 30-120 cm across, marginally flat, circular, dark green and reticulaterugose
above, purple and ribbed beneath, spiny on nerves at both sides. Flowers much smaller, 4 cm across, solitary on long, spiny pedicel; sepals green, 4, very prickly outside, reddish inside; petals shorter and purple, dayblooming, with many petals and stamens; filaments short; ovules 8, 8-celled; ovary inferior. Fruit elliptic or globose, 5-7 cm in diameter, spiny; calyx left at the top.
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