Indigenous to mild and tropical counties such as Australia, South Africa and the northern hemisphere, the water lily has been in existence for hundreds of years.
Popular in mild water of the United States and Canada, the water lily can also be referred to as American white water-lily, fragrant water-lily, sweet-scented water-lily and beaver root. Scientifically, the plant is called Nymphaea odorata,which is the fragrance of the flower. These plants multiply in still waters that are six feet deep. (What Is the Habitat of Water Lilies? 2010)
The name ‘water lily’ refers to three (3) distinct groups: Nymphaeaceae, Cambobaceae, and Hydatellaceae. The Nymphaeaceae is the group with the most subspecies and generally people assume that the plants fall under this group. There are two kinds of water lilies, tropical and hardy. Tropical water lilies blossom in hot and wet climate and hardy water lilies are able to flourish in freezing climate. These flowers can flourish during the day or at night.
Water lilies play an important role in the ecosystem and may enhance the way of life of many people. Numerous people across the world have used water lilies as a source of food and to treat skin conditions and fevers. (Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors, 2021). Water lilies adapt to their environment effortlessly and add a wealth of colours to the ecosystem. (Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors, 2021)
Notwithstanding their exterior beauty, water lilies contain poisonous compounds. People are often told to stay away from the plant unless they are using them for ornaments in ponds and containers. Although there is no evidence that water lilies are toxic to human beings, they are toxic to dogs and other animals when consumed in large proportions. (Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors, 2021).
Fun facts about the water lily
- Water lilies often provide a protective environment for animals and plants.
- Water lilies often help with water purification.
- There are over 50 species of water lilies.
- The flower of a water lily uniquely unfolds at day, closes every night and flourishes for three days.
- Guyana’s national flower is the giant water lily.
- Water lilies can live to over 20 years.
References
Giants of Nature: The Biggest Plants in the World | Free Documentary Shorts. (n.d.). Www.youtube.com. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crrOWVRV72c
How to Grow Water Lilies Indoors. (n.d.). The Spruce. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.thespruce.com/grow-water-lilies-indoors-1902988
Mbgadmin (2020, September 2). Nymphs of the Garden: The Water Lilies by Arslan. Discover + Share. https://discoverandshare.org/2020/09/02/nymphs-of-the-garden-the-water-lilies-by-arslan/#:~:text=lutea%20is%20found%20in%20North
Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors. (2021, July 4). Plant and Flower Dictionary. https://theafricangarden.com/water-lilies/
The Giant Water Lily – Guyana’s National Flower (Formerly The Victoria Regia Lily). (2020, April 6). Things Guyana. https://www.thingsguyana.com/the-giant-water-lily-guyanas-national-flower-formerly-the-victoria-regia-lily/
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2019). Water lily | plant family. In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/plant/water-lily
Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors. (2021, July 4). Plant and Flower Dictionary. https://theafricangarden.com/water-lilies/
What Is the Habitat of Water Lilies? (2010). Sciencing. https://sciencing.com/what-is-the-habitat-of-water-lilies-13428517.html;
Water Lilies: Different Varieties & Flower Colors. (2021, July 4). Plant and Flower Dictionary. https://theafricangarden.com/water-lilies/
Water Gardens. (n.d.). Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/water-gardens/
https://sciencing.com/what-is-the-habitat-of-water-lilies-13428517.html
https://www.thespruce.com/grow-water-lilies-indoors-1902988
Article by Jamela Rookwood
Photos by Ian Boxill
