Waterlilies

Biological Name:

Nymphaea spp. (Waterlilies)

Natural Habitat:

Waterlilies: This plant is native to North and South America, as well as other parts of the world, and typically grows in slow-moving or stagnant water, such as in ponds, marshes, and ditches.

Description:

Waterlilies are aquatic plants that are native to various parts of the world. They have large floating leaves and showy flowers that come in a variety of colors. There are many different species of waterlilies some of which are used as ornamental plants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is special about water lily?
A: 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.
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Q: Is water lily good luck?
A: Symbol of Purity and Great Beauty and brings every kind of good fortune. It has potency to turn bed luck into the good luck. Lotus is also a symbol of enlightenment and signify pure energy.
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Q: Can you eat water lily?
A: Parts of the White Water Lily are edible to humans. The young, unfurling leaves may be eaten raw or cooked. The raw leaves should be washed, chopped, and added to soups or stews. The rhizomes’ tubers may be boiled, roasted, or prepared like potatoes.
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Q: Is water lily good for home?
A: Even though a water lily needs more attention than other houseplants, they are well worth it to grow. Water lilies are beautiful flowers and if you can set up the right environment and follow some easy steps, you too can grow beautiful water lilies at home.
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Q: Is water lily healthy?
A: Water lily extracts have been shown to keep the levels of insulin in the body stable, preventing blood sugar fluctuations. Promoting liver health. Water lily has been shown to prevent potential liver damage, also promoting the regeneration of this important organ.
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Q: How long does a water lily live?
A: How long do water lilies live? Given the right conditions, water lilies are very long-lived perennials, even when grown indoors. There are many instances of water lilies living 15 or 20 years, or even more.
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Q: How long do water lilies last?
A: Some tropical waterlilies bloom from late afternoon to early morning. Each flower lasts three to five days. New flowers grow throughout the spring and summer.
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Q: Are water lilies invasive?
A: The fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata) has showy ornamental flowers, making it an attractive pond plant, but it is considered an invasive weed. It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 11.
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Q: Will water lilies take over a pond?
A: Lily pads may look aesthetic, but they can quickly become invasive and take over a pond or lake system.
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Q: Do water lilies clean ponds?
A: Water lilies and their foliage provide important benefits to your ponds ecosystem by reducing light levels in your water which will otherwise encourage algae growth. Their flat plate-like circumstance also creates vital shade and safety for your fish.
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Q: How do you stop water lilies from spreading?
A: Simply, pond weed barrier is placed at the bottom of the body of water after all water lily stalks and foliage have been removed. This barrier does not allow sunlight to reach the rhizomes, thus ensuring that they do not return. Chemical herbicides are also an option for the elimination of water lilies from ponds.
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Q: Do water lilies oxygenate a pond?
A: Not only do they oxygenate the water, but they also keep toxin levels in check. Water lilies are a good oxygenator, too. Besides, they’re really pretty! Keep in mind, when you’re out caring for your pond and get hungry, you can always munch on some watercress, although it’s best to cook it thoroughly before ingesting.
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Q: Do water lilies improve water quality?
A: Growing a submerged aquatic plant like water lilies will keep the pond healthy by adding oxygen to the water.
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Q: Are waterlilies poisonous?
A: All water lilies are poisonous and contain an alkaloid called nupharin in almost all of their parts, with the exception of the seeds and in some species, the tubers. The European species contain large amounts of nupharin, and are considered inedible.
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Q: Do waterlilies smell?
A: Leaves float on the water’s surface and are nearly circular in shape. They are notched to the center and the leaf lobes are pointed. The leaves are on the tops of long stalks that extend from long rhizomes in the mud. Fragrant water lily flowers are showy, white and aromatic.
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Q: Do waterlilies need soil?
A: Unlike regular plants that go in the ground, water lilies should NOT be planted in garden potting mixes that are primarily peat moss. Instead, use a commercial aquatic potting mix or a soilless potting medium such as Profile. You can also use soil from the garden, so long as it is heavy and high in clay content.
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Q: What happens when lily pads take over a pond?
A: Plants like lily pads have a track record of growing quickly, so they may get out of control. That can cause overcrowding, stagnation, lack of oxygen, and dangerous conditions for your fish and other wildlife in your pond. They also may compete with other plant life in your pond and overtake them.
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Q: Is water lily good for fish?
A: Water lilies and their foliage provide important benefits to your ponds ecosystem by reducing light levels in your water which will otherwise encourage algae growth. Their flat plate-like circumstance also creates vital shade and safety for your fish.
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Q: Are water lilies and lotus the same?
A: Water lilies (Nymphaea cv.) and lotuses (Nelumbo cv.) are distinctly different plants. Water lilies grow on or just above the water and have a much greater colour range, whilst lotus grow above the water and the flowers are mainly pink, white or yellow.
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Q: Are lotus flowers poisonous?
A: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels the flower as poisonous, yet doesn’t classify it as a controlled substance. This means that you can legally purchase blue lotus teas, incense, and oils. It’s legal in most countries except for Poland, Russia, and Latvia ( 1 , 13).
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Q: What does water lily taste like?
A: They are extremely crunchy, and are often eaten popped, where they have a barley-like taste with hints of pepper.
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Q: Can I put lotus in a pond?
A: Your planted lotus should be located in a sunny spot in your pond, in relatively still water. Your container should be 6 to 12 inches below the surface of the water. Lotuses don’t start blooming as early in the season as water lilies. A lotus needs several weeks of hot weather to start blooming.
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Q: Is lotus Japanese or Chinese?
A: Lotus is a well-known water plant in Asia, and is widespread from Iran and the Caspian Sea eastwards to China and Japan, and southeastwards to India and Indo-China, then to northern Australia. In India, Thailand, China, and Japan, it is the sacred flower of Buddhism, and is the national flower of Thailand.
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Q: Do lotus plants clean the water?
A: Plants with a double structured surface like the lotus can reach a contact angle of 170°, whereby the droplet’s contact area is only 0.6%. All this leads to a self-cleaning effect. Dirt particles with an extremely reduced contact area are picked up by water droplets and are thus easily cleaned off the surface.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.