Euryale ferox
Euryale ferox is the scientific name of the aquatic plant that produces makhana seeds — a prickly water lily native to stagnant wetlands across South and East Asia, with its largest commercial cultivation in the Gangetic plains of Bihar, India.
Classified in the Nymphaeaceae (water lily) family, Euryale ferox is the only surviving species in its genus, making it a living fossil. The plant grows from seeds sown in pond beds, producing massive floating leaves up to 1.5 m across that cover the water surface. Its seed pods, which develop underwater, contain 15–30 dark, spherical seeds roughly 1–2 cm in diameter. These seeds are the raw makhana. The plant's leaves and stems are covered in sharp spines, which is why harvesting is done manually — the prickly nature makes mechanical harvesting impractical. Euryale ferox has been cultivated in India and China for over 3,000 years for both food and traditional medicine.
Related Terms
Gorgon nut is an historical English name for Euryale ferox seeds, derived from the Gorgon of Greek mythology, referring to the spiny, Medusa-like appearance of the plant's seed pods.
Lotus Seeds vs Makhanaकमल के बीज बनाम मखानाLotus seeds (kamu gatta / makhana of a different type) and makhana (Euryale ferox) are frequently confused — both are aquatic seeds used in Indian cooking, but they come from different plants and have distinct textures, nutritional profiles, and culinary uses.
MakhanaमखानाMakhana, also called fox nuts or phool makhana, are the popped seeds of Euryale ferox, an aquatic plant cultivated in wetland ponds across the Gangetic plains of Bihar, India.
Mithila Makhana GI Tagमिथिला मखाना जीआई टैगThe Mithila Makhana Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a formal recognition by the Government of India that makhana grown in the Mithila region of Bihar has distinct qualities and reputation attributable to its geographic origin.