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Mandem (Waterlily)
Waterlilies grow all over billabongs around the Territory’s Top End, most commonly in Kakadu and West Arnhem Land. Also known as the Lotus Flower and in Kunkwinjku language Mandem, Mandem live metres deep in water, with one large circular green leaf (lily pad) that floats on the surface of the water and throughout most of the year, Mandem flower a beautiful pink and yellow flower that smells wonderfully fragrant.
The stem connecting the lily pad is hollow and are a common food source for bininj (aboriginal people of this area), as well as the seeds which are eaten raw or cooked and can be pounded into a flour to make bread.
