Facts on Water Lilies

The water lily, whose scientific name is Nymphaeaceae, is one of the world’s most beautiful and recognizable plants. The water lily is the glorious floral topping to the usually frog-laden lily pad.

Types

There are two main categories of water lilies: hardy and tropical. The hardy water lily will flower and bloom only in the daylight. The tropical variety will bloom during any time of the day or night.

Features

Though water lilies look as if they are sprouting from the water, they are actually floating on top of the water with their roots tethered deep into the water-logged soil at the bottom of the lake or pond.

Fun Fact

Besides being the birth flower for July, the Blue Water Lily is also the celebrated national flower of Sri Lanka, a country off the southeastern coast of India.

Famous Ties

The water lily is an object used repeatedly in the oil paintings of French Impressionist Claude Monet (1840-1926). Monet is widely believed to be the father of the Impressionist movement. His water lily series includes some of his most masterful works.

Mythology

The scientific name, Nympaeceae, is taken from the Greek word nymph. Nymphs were female sprites that lived in springs or other bodies of water. The name "Nympaeceae" fits the water lily perfectly because the lily is only found in bodies of water as well.

References

• Water Lilies

Resources

• African Plants