What is a water lily?

The water lily is a freshwater flowering plant belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae , which contains approximately 60 species in 4 genera. They are native to temperate and tropical regions of the world. Water lilies have rounded leaves with waxy coatings that float on the water's surface. Their stalks contain air spaces and connect to thick, fleshy stems that are buried in the mud. The showy flowers are borne at or above the water surface and have numerous petals arranged in a spiral. Most species have many stamens (male reproductive structures) and are insect-pollinated. The fruit is usually nutlike or berrylike. Water lilies provide food for fish and wildlife, but can cause drainage problems due to rapid growth. Many varieties have been developed for ornamental use in garden pools and conservatories.

To which plant family do water lilies belong?

Water lilies belong to the family Nymphaeaceae, which contains approximately 60 species within 4 genera of freshwater flowering plants. These plants are native to temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Water lilies have rounded, waxy leaves with long stalks containing air spaces that allow them to float. The stalks emerge from thick, fleshy underwater stems rooted in the mud. The family also includes the closely related water shields and fanworts of the family Cabombaceae.

Where do water lilies usually grow?

Water lilies are a family of about 60 species of freshwater flowering plants that are native to temperate and tropical regions. They are usually found in quiet freshwater habitats, where their leaves float on the water's surface. Most water lilies have rounded, waxy leaves with long stalks containing air spaces. The stalks grow from thick, fleshy underwater stems buried in the mud. The fragrant flowers are showy and solitary, borne at or above the water surface on long stalks attached to the underground stems. The flowers attract insect pollinators and have a spiral arrangement of numerous petals. Water lilies provide food and shelter for fish and wildlife. They can grow rapidly and sometimes cause drainage problems.

What are some unique features of water lily leaves and flowers?

Water lily leaves are typically rounded, wax-coated, and often notched, featuring air-filled stalks for floating in calm freshwater. These stalks connect to thick, fleshy stems rooted in the mud. The water lily boasts showy, fragrant, solitary flowers that sit at or above the water's surface on long stalks. These cup-like blossoms have spirally arranged petals and numerous stamens. Most open in the morning or evening to lure insect pollinators. The fruit is usually nut-like or berry-like, ripening underwater until the seeds float or sink. The Amazon water lily ( V. amazonica ) and the Santa Cruz water lily ( V. cruziana ) have upturned edges, giving each thickly veined leaf the appearance of a large shallow pan. V. boliviana has leaves up to 3 meters across, making it the largest of the giant water lilies.

How do water lilies adapt to living in water?

Water lilies have several adaptations to thrive in aquatic environments. Their leaves, coated with wax and containing air spaces, float on the water's surface, attached to underwater stems rooted in the mud. These stems are thick and fleshy. The plant's showy flowers are positioned at or above the water, and they attract insects for pollination . Water lilies provide shelter and food for fish and wildlife.

Why are water lilies important in their ecosystems and to humans?

Water lilies, from the family Nymphaeaceae , play key roles in their freshwater habitats. They offer food to fish and wildlife, while their leaves and stalks shelter fish and aquatic birds. Water lilies can be used for ornamental purposes in aquatic gardens and aquariums because of their attractive foliage and showy flowers. Throughout history, humans have consumed the submerged leaves, protein-rich seeds, and starchy creeping rhizomes of larger water lily species.

water lily

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Two pink water lily flowers (Nymphaea species) blooming among round green lily pads on the surface of a pond.

See how the petals of a white water lily flower open and fold in on themselves to keep the flower watertight when closed

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Related Topics:: Nuphar; Victoria; Nymphaea; Amazon water lily; Santa Cruz water lily

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water lily

plant family

Also known as: Nymphaeaceae

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Physical description

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.

The flowers of most species have many stamens (male reproductive structures). Some flowers open only in the morning or in the evening to attract insect pollinators. The fruit is usually nutlike or berrylike. Some fruits ripen underwater until they rupture or decay, and the seeds then float away or sink. Some water lilies also have submerged leaves. All members of the family are perennial except for the genus Euryale, an annual or short-lived perennial found only in Asia.

Venus's-flytrap. Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) one of the best known of the meat-eating plants. Carnivorous plant, Venus flytrap, Venus fly trap

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Major genera and species

The genus Nymphaea makes up the water lilies proper, or water nymphs, with 46 species. The common North American white water lily, or pond lily, is Nymphaea odorata. The European white water lily is N. alba. Both species have reddish leaves when young and large fragrant flowers. The leaf blades of N. alba have a deep narrow notch. Other species of Nymphaea have pink, yellow, red, or blue flowers; many kinds are of hybrid origin. The lotus of ancient Egyptian art was usually the blue lotus (N. caerulea). The Egyptian lotus (N. lotus) has toothed leaves and long stalks that rise above the water’s surface to support white flowers that bloom at night and stay open until midday.

The largest water lilies are those of tropical South America, the three species of the genus Victoria. The taxonomy of the giant water lilies has been contentious, with the group sometimes placed in the genus Nymphaea. The leaf margins of the Amazon, or royal, water lily (V. amazonica, formerly Victoria regia) and the Santa Cruz water lily (V. cruziana) have upturned edges, giving each thickly veined leaf the appearance of a large shallow pan 60 to 180 cm (about 2 to 6 feet) across and accounting for its common name, water platter. The fragrant flowers of these species have 50 or more petals and are 18 to 46 cm (about 7 to 18 inches) wide. They open white toward evening and shade to pink or reddish two days later before they wither, to be replaced by a large berrylike fruit. A third species, V. boliviana, was discovered in 2022 from live and herbarium specimens at Kew Gardens in London and the National Herbarium of Bolivia. With leaves up to 3 metres (about 10 feet) across, it is the largest of the giant water lilies.

The genus Nuphar, with about 10 species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, includes the common yellow water lily, also called cow lily or spatterdock (Nuphar advena), of eastern North America. The yellow water lily has submerged leaves that are thin and translucent and leathery floating leaves.

The genus Barclaya has about two species. It is distinguished from other water lilies by an extended perianth tube (combined sepals and petals) arising from the top of the ovary and by stamens that are joined basally. Barclaya is native to tropical Asia and Indonesia.

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