Water Lily

Nymphoides peltata

Water lilies are pretty flowers that float on water. They have big, round leaves and can be white, pink, or yellow!

Habitat: Ponds and lakes

Appearance

The Water Lily has round, leathery, green leaves that float flat on the water's surface. Its vibrant yellow, star-shaped flowers with delicate fringed petals rise just above the water, creating a striking contrast against the dark water.

KingdomPlantaePhylumMagnoliophytaClassRosopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilyMenyanthaceaeGenusNymphoides

Water Lily

Interesting facts

Butterflies and bees love sipping nectar from their sunny, bright yellow blossoms!

Some water lily seeds can stay alive for over a century before sprouting!

Their thick, waxy leaves have tiny pores called stomata on top for breathing!

Water lily roots help anchor the soil, preventing it from washing away in water!

Special abilities

Water Lilies have broad, flat leaves that float to capture maximum sunlight, helping them grow bigger and faster.

Its delicate flowers gracefully open with the morning sun and close at night, protecting their parts from evening dew.

This plant spreads quickly underwater using creeping rhizomes, allowing it to colonize new areas and create dense patches.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-10 cm
Spread: 30-100 cm
Flower Size: 2-4 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Eurasian Coot

Fulica atra

eats plant parts

eats

Mute Swan

Cygnus olor

grazes on aquatic vegetation

eats

Water Lily Beetle

Galerucella nymphaeae

larvae and adults feed on leaves

pollinates

Western Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar and pollen

shelters

Common Frog

Rana temporaria

rests and hunts among leaves

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.