Nymphaea 'Nangkwag' syn (Nymphaea Indian Goddess)
Nymphaea ‘Nangkwag’ syn (Nymphaea Indian Goddess)
Nymphaea ‘Nangkwag’ syn (Nymphaea Indian Goddess) is a waterlily from India. It is known throughout much of the world by the more common name N. Indian Goddess. It has flowers in almost all colors of the spectrum. Some of them have green pads and some have mottled or flecked pads. It’s date of publication is 1994.
The following is a quote from Garet Uemura who was instrumental in getting many varieties to the United States along with Mrs. Betsy Sakata.
The Nang Kwak group of tropical lilies have their origin in India. They were imported into Thailand by Dr. Slearmlarp Wasuwat and further developed by Thai hybridizers. They received their name from their enlarged sepals which resemble the beckoning fingers of the Siamese Goddess by the same name. Hence, the translation of the Thai name into, “Summoning Lady” and “Indian Goddess.”
Images of the goddess, Nang Kwak are placed in Thai shops in the belief that the goddess will attract business. Nang Kwak is often depicted as a young woman who has her left hand raised with the palm down (Asians do not use the same “come” gesture as Westerners) in a beckoning manner.
The first Nang Kwak lilies (Pink and Pink Striped) were imported into the United States by Mrs. Betsy Sakata of IWGS. Over the years, many variants of the original Nang Kwak have arisen. The various cultivars are listed below along with their distinguishing characteristics.
Presently, the different colors of Nang Kwak lilies are not individually recognized, but are grouped together under the name, “Indian Goddess.”
Many farmers in Thailand produce their lilies by planting seeds. Because of this, some of the varieties of Nang Kwak found in Thailand do not match with those cultivated in America under the same name. For the purposes of this page, I have use the original forms of the cultivars.
The following pictuers and quotes are from Garet…
“This is Nang Kwan – green. The photo of the one on my website (Garet Uemura) was an original green version that I received from Thailand about 5 years ago. However, mine died out without reproducing and although I inquired with various sources in Thailand about getting a new one, no one knew anything about it. I was able to reproduce the hybrid (however, my version has longer sepals) several years ago using my hybrid, ‘Jan’ as the pod parent.”
Nang Kwak Violet has highly mottled leaves compared to those of Nang Kwak Fah or Purple. Sepals are usually mottled.
This was received from Dr. Sam Wasuwat. Sepals tend to be broader than Nang Kwak Purple.
One of the original forms of Nang Kwak brought back by Betsy Sakata. Pink with green pads.
One of the original forms of Nang Kwak brought to America by Betsy Sakata. The purple form is similar to Nang Kwak Fah, but Nang Kwak Purple has more compact, and smaller sepals. Leaves are striped with
mottling on both sides. Bottoms are mottled purple.
Light pink flowers with mottled pads.
Yellow with green pads.
Yellow Striped – Deep yellow flowers with highly mottled pads.
White with green pads.
Buaburin – Sunset colored Nang Kwak hybridized by Mrs. Pensiri Dudsdeemaytha of Bangkok. It has green pads.
Red (Daeng) with green pads.
Nang Kwak Blue has leaves that are solid green, flowers are a blue-purple color.
This is one of the original forms of Nang Kwak brought back from Thailand by Betsy Sakata. It is a deep pink with mottled pads.
The following are pictures supplied by Primlarp Wasuwat Chukiatman.
