Euryale ferox (also known as GORGON NUT, ‘thangjing’ in Meeteilon i.e. Manipuri, makhana, nikori (in Assamese), Onibas(Onibasu) in Japanese or gorgon plant) is the only species in the genus Euryale. It is a flowering plant classified in the water lilly family, Nymphaeaceae, although it is occasionally regarded as a distinct family Euryalacear. Unlike other water lilies, the pollen grains of Euryale have three nuclei.Euryale is an perennial plant native to eastern Asia, and is found from India- found in Bihar, (Local name Makhana)And in Loktak Lake Manipur.(Local name- Thangzing)] to Korea and Japan as well as part of eastern Russia

It grows in water, producing bright purple flowers. The leaves are large and round, often more than a meter (3 feet) across, with a leaf stalk attached in the center of the lower surface. The underside of the leaf is purplish. while the upper surface is green. The leaves have a quilted texture, although the stems, flowers, and leaves which float on the surface are covered in sharp prickles. Other leaves are submerged. in India, Euryale normally grows in ponds, wetlands etc. Recently the Indian Council of Agricultural Research have found out a technique for the field cultivation of Euryale Health Benefits of Makhana or Gorgon Nut