"Nymphaea nouchali", often known by its synonym "Nymphaea stellata", or by common names blue lotus, star lotus, red water lily, blue water lily, blue star water lily or manel flower, is a water lily of genus Nymphaea.

The blue water lily was declared the national flower of Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon, and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, and southeast of the Arabian Sea; it is separated from the Indian subcontinent by the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait.) on 26 February 1986. It is found in all parts of the island and grows mainly in shallow water. The flower is considered a symbol of truth, purity and discipline. It has connections with Buddha and was used as a ceremonial flower in Sri Lanka throughout history.

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