The quiet beauty of a pond or lake is instantly enhanced by a water lily's rounded leaves and starry flowers floating placidly on the surface. These unique aquatic plants can bloom in a range of colors anytime from late spring through fall in most regions of the country. Their leaves can be cup-shaped, star-shaped, and smooth or jagged. And while water lilies may be most visible on the surface of still freshwater, they are rooted in the mud below, where they overwinter and regrow the following year. Here are a few more interesting facts about these amazing flowers that will likely surprise you.
When you imagine a water lily, you probably think of the classic white bloom bursting from a deep green lily pad. But water lilies actually grow in a rainbow of colors, including pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, and blue. Tropical varieties take on jewel tones (purple, orange, bright blue, and yellow), whereas hardier varieties lean toward a pastel palette. Sometimes the blossoms on hardy varieties change shades as they age. Even the leaf colors vary from deep green to rich burgundy. Water lilies aren't just a one-trick pretty pony. They have more tricks up their sleeves.
2. Water Lilies Help Their Environment
Although they're primarily known for their stunning appearance, water lilies are actually important players in the aquatic ecosystem. These plants are found in shallow and still fresh water, as in ponds, lakes, and the edges of slow-moving streams. Because they rest on the water's surface, the flowers and pads provide shade, keeping the water cooler and preventing algae that thrive in heat from growing in excess. Water lilies also shelter fish from predatory birds and the heat of the sun.
3. The Water Lily Is July's Birth Flower
Attention July birthdays: Water lily is your flower. (Along with larkspur.) It's no wonder these bright blooms are linked to July because they're mainly a summer flower. Water lilies bloom from May through September, putting July smack in the middle of the prime season. In frost-free regions, water lilies bloom year-round. But you have to be lucky to catch a bloom, as each individual flower lasts for about four days before sinking under the water to decompose. The beauty is short-lived, but that makes it even more special.
Dean Schoeppner
4. The Water Lily Has Numerous Varieties
Each variety of these stunners (there are over 50 species) is unique, whether it's the shape, size, color, fragrance, or blooming pattern. Water lilies inhabit ponds, lakes, and streams all over the world. The largest variety is fittingly called the giant water lily. Other names for this huge flower are the Amazon water lily and the royal water lily. This massive, magnificent flower can grow to a diameter of 3 to 6 feet and can support 66 pounds of weight. That means a young child could perch on a giant pad, no problem.
5. The Water Lily Is an Important Spiritual Symbol
Water lilies mean many things in different areas of the world, but they have special significance in Buddhism and Hinduism. For these religions, the water lily symbolizes resurrection, because these flowers close up at night and reopen in the morning, similar to a spiritual rebirth. Buddhists also believe that the water lily represents enlightenment because a beautiful bloom emerges from the dark mud.
6. The Water Lily Is a Star in the Art World
The impressionist painter Claude Monet often used water lilies as a subject. In fact, he painted more than 250 pieces that featured this aquatic plant, and several of them are among his most famous works of art.
Because they rest on the water's surface, the flowers and pads provide shade, keeping the water cooler and preventing algae that thrive in heat from growing in excess. Water lilies also shelter fish from predatory birds and the heat of the sun.
Because they rest on the water's surface, the flowers and pads provide shade, keeping the water cooler and preventing algae that thrive in heat from growing in excess. Water lilies also shelter fish from predatory birds and the heat of the sun.
Yellow Water Lily- Yellow water lilies symbolise unity, creation, gracefulness. Pink Water Lily- Pink water lilies carry knowledge and grace and also symbolise teachings. Red Water Lily- Red water lilies symbolise love, passion, and lust.
The bulb and root are used to make medicine. People take American white water lily to treat ongoing (chronic) diarrhea. American white water lily is sometimes applied directly to the affected area for vagin*l conditions, diseases of the throat and mouth, and as a warm compress (poultice) for burns and boils.
In ancient Greek civilization, lily flower is considered as a symbol of sexuality. It is believed that this flower was created from the breast milk of the Goddess. In Christianity, the white lily flower is associated with the virgin Mary.
Lilies have been celebrated in mythology and in many cultures across the Northern Hemisphere for centuries. Lilies are thought to symbolize purity, rebirth and virtue. Rooted in ancient Greek myths, lilies were said to have emerged from Hera's milk. Christian symbolism connects them to the Virgin Mary's purity.
The leaves usually float on the surface, but sometimes they are underwater. A single flower blooms at the end of each stalk. The flowers are shaped like stars or cups. They can be white, cream, pink, yellow, red, orange, purple, or blue.
The Dwarf water-lily (Nymphaea leibergii) is thought to be the most common. However, in the past it has been confused with the rare Pygmy water-lily (Nymphaea tetragona). A third species, the Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata), is also rare and is distinguishable by its larger flowers with more numerous petals.
Water lilies create habitat for largemouth bass and other game fish. Lily pads also create an area for young fish to live. Areas covered in lilies are less likely to have algae blooms because the surface coverage blocks sunlight needed for algae to grow. If left unmanaged lilies can also have detrimental effects.
Associated with the Water element, the pygmy water lily can enhance your monetary luck by smoothly channeling the flow of wealth Qi. Being a representative of the 'Kan' Qi, the pygmy water lily aids in maintaining emotional equilibrium and mitigating feelings of stress and anxiety.
For example, water lilies are often associated with birth and resurrection because of their striking ability to emerge from the water. Because of their often white petals, you'll also find them symbolising purity and majesty. But the most interesting thing the water lily symbolises is enlightenment.
Red and orange lilies symbolise passion, so if you have an ardent crush, you know what to do. White lilies, meanwhile, are popular at weddings and funerals because of their connotations of peace, purity and devotion, making them a thoughtful Valentine's Day flower for someone you admire.
The Blue Water Lily holds a treasure trove of spiritual significance. In ancient Egypt, it was a potent symbol of purity and the sun's daily rebirth. Its daily cycle of bloom and retreat mirrored the journey of the soul, making it a metaphor for enlightenment and resurrection.
Waterlilies release oxygen through their roots into the pond's soil. Submerged plants, aka oxygenators, float just below the surface and usually only their flowers emerge above the water. They also help to keep the water clear of algae and provide wildlife with shelter.
It can bring hydration to dry skin, and that it can soothe irritated, sensitive or acne-prone skin. Additionally, white water lily extract is naturally derived, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize natural ingredients in their skincare products.
Lilies have a vase life of around 10-14 days. Prepare your lilies by diagonally trimming the stems by roughly an inch. Remove any leaves that will fall below the water line. This will reduce the build up of bacteria in the water and keep your lily flowers fresher for longer.
Lilies have six-part flowers—three petals and three sepals (modified leaves) colored alike—and usually six stamens. The flowers of some species are quite fragrant, and they occur in a wide variety of colors.
Some lilies are extremely rare and not even seed is offered through plant societies, but a few easy ones like Lilium regale can be found from time to time in catalogs for sale.
Lilies are perennial plants, but they may not be perennial in every region. For example, Easter lilies might survive the winter here in Powell River, but they likely wouldn't survive winter in other parts of Canada.
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Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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