water lily, (family Nymphaeaceae), family of about 60 species in 4
genera of
freshwater flowering plants (order Nymphaeales) native to the temperate and
tropical parts of the world. Water lilies provide food for fish and wildlife but
sometimes cause drainage problems because of their rapid growth. Many
varieties have been developed for ornamental use in garden pools
and conservatories. Closely related genera, of the family Cobombaceae, are
the water shields and the fanworts.
Physical description
water lily
Santa Cruz water lily
Most species of water lilies have rounded and variously notched waxy-coated leaves on
long stalks that contain many air spaces and float in quiet freshwater habitats. The
stalks arise from thick fleshy creeping underwater stems that are buried in the mud. The
showy fragrant solitary flowers are borne at or above the water surface on long stalks
that are attached to the underground stems. Each cuplike flower has a spiral
arrangement of its numerous petals.
Water lilies (Nymphaea) and lotus (Nelumbo) are jewels of the aquatic
world. They and closely related lotus flowers are rooted in soil,
emerging above the water surface, appearing as if floating. The
flowers are round and centered around a radial notch. The plants
are symbolic in ancient and modern times, celebrated for their beauty,
and immortalized in art and religion.
Many water lilies and lotuses are easy to grow and reward the
gardener with fragrant and sumptuous blossoms from June until
October. Both plants are best planted in spring. Water lilies start faster
and typically have a faster growth rate than lotus, which are
notoriously slow to start and need warmth and plenty of suns to
flower.
While most water lilies are grown outdoors, you can grow small
varieties of these plants in containers indoors. The keys to success
with these plants are providing plenty of light, sufficient water, and
keeping the water relatively clean (for your sake and that of the
plants).
This showy member of the water lily family (Nymphaeaceae) is a beautiful plant to admire as you
paddle a canoe around a lake or down a sluggish stream. The large white flowers are often fragrant,
hence the specific epithet “odorata”. “Nymphaea” derives from the attractive flowers, which are
suggestive of the mythological Greek nymphs, beautiful supernatural female beings thought to
inhabit glades and springs.
The white water lily is recognized by its large, floating, circular leaves and large, white flowers. The
waxy leaves are up to 8 inches across with a narrow v-shaped cleft where the stem attaches. The
underside of the leaf is green or reddish-purple in color. The flower can be up to 5 inches wide with
numerous white petals and is attached to a separate stem from the leaf. Forty or more yellow
stamens surround a central ovary and disk-shaped stigma.
This plant is generally found in quiet water up to 5 or 6 feet deep and is adapted to its aquatic
habitat. The stout rhizomes are spongy with hollow spaces for storing oxygen that is transported
down the stems from the leaves. Occasionally a chunk of rhizome will break off and wash up on
shore. Reminiscent of an octopus tentacle, these rhizomes can sprout to start new water lily
colonies.
