Nymphaea odorata - White Water Lily

General Information Common Name  White Water Lily Scientific Name  Nymphaea odorata Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 2 m (up to 6 ft) Spread  up to 1 m (up to 3 ft) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Summer Color  Green, Flower Color  White Type  Herbs Native  Asia, Australia and North America

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Magnoliidae Order  Nymphaeales Family  Nymphaeaceae - Lily Family Genus  Nymphaea - Lily Species  N. odorata

Nymphaea odorata – White Water Lily

Nymphaea odorata commonly known as White Water Lily is an aquatic plant species that belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. It is also commonly known as fragrant water lily or American white water lily. This plant is native to North America and can be found in various aquatic environments such as lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.

White water lilies have large, circular, floating leaves that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter. The leaves are green on the upper surface and reddish-purple on the lower surface. The flowers are white and fragrant, with 4-20 petals, and can grow up to 20 cm in diameter. The flowers bloom during the day and close at night. The plant also has long, flexible stems that attach the leaves and flowers to the underwater roots.

White water lilies are found throughout North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico. They prefer shallow water bodies, such as ponds, marshes, and lakes, with a moderate amount of sunlight. The plant can grow in water that is up to 3 meters deep.

White water lilies play an important role in their ecosystem. The large leaves provide shade and cover for aquatic animals, while the flowers provide a food source for pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The plant also serves as a habitat for a variety of aquatic animals, including fish, turtles, and frogs.

The white water lily has cultural significance in various indigenous cultures in North America. It is known to symbolize peace, tranquility, and purity in some Native American cultures. The plant has also been used for medicinal purposes by indigenous communities, as well as in traditional herbal medicine.

The white water lily is a beautiful and important aquatic plant species that plays a vital role in its ecosystem and has cultural significance in various indigenous cultures in North America.

 

 

Nymphaea odorata - White Water Lily

White Water Lily

White Water Lily

White Water Lily

White Water Lily

White Water Lily Seeds

White Water Lily Seeds Pods

White Water Lily Leaves

White Water Lily

White Water Lily

Nymphaea nouchali - Blue Water Lily

Ge,neral Information Common Name  Blue Water Lily Scientific Name  Nymphaea nouchali Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  up to 2 m (up to 6 ft) Spread  up to 1 m (up to 3 ft) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Summer Color  Green, Flower Color  Blue Type  Herbs Native  Asia, Australia and North America

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons Subclass  Magnoliidae Order  Nymphaeales Family  Nelumbonaceae - Lily Family Genus  Nymphaeaceae. - Water Lily Species  N. nouchali

Nymphaea nouchali - Blue Water Lily

Nymphaea nouchali, also known as the Blue Water Lily, is a species of aquatic plant in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa, including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Tanzania.

The plant has a large rhizome (a type of root) that is submerged in the water, and it produces long stalks with floating leaves and flowers. The leaves are circular, up to 45 cm in diameter, and have a distinct notch at the base. The flowers are large and showy, with a diameter of up to 20 cm. They have blue or purple petals and yellow stamens in the center.

Nymphaea nouchali prefers shallow, still, freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It can grow in water up to 5 meters deep, but the leaves and flowers will not emerge above the surface. The plant requires full sun and can tolerate a range of water temperatures and pH levels.

The Blue Water Lily is often grown as an ornamental plant in ponds and water gardens. It can be propagated from seeds or rhizome cuttings and requires fertile, loamy soil for optimal growth. In some cultures, the plant has cultural or religious significance and is used in traditional medicine for various ailments.

Nymphaea nouchali is an important plant in aquatic ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a variety of aquatic animals. It also helps to oxygenate the water and remove excess nutrients, contributing to the overall health of the ecosystem.

The plant has cultural and religious significance in many Asian and African countries. In India, the Blue Water Lily is considered a sacred plant and is associated with various deities. In Sri Lanka, the plant is known as the 'Nil Manel' and is the national flower. It is also featured on the Sri Lankan 20-rupee note. In some cultures, the plant is used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including fever, diarrhea, and skin disorders.
Overall, Nymphaea nouchali is a fascinating aquatic plant with a range of ecological, cultural, and medicinal significance.

 

Nymphaea nouchali - Blue Water Lily

Blue Water Lily leaves

Blue Water Lily leaves

Blue Water Lily Flower

Nymphaea nouchali - Blue Water Lily

Blue Water Lily Seeds Pods

Blue Water Lily Seeds pods

Blue Water Lily

Nymphaea nouchali

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell

General Information Common Name  Spanish Bluebell Scientific Name  Hyacinthoides hispanica Sun Tolerance  Full Sun Height  25-50 cm (9-18 incs) Spread  25-50 cm (9-18 incs) Growth Rate  Fast Bloom Time  Spring Color  Green Flower Color  Blue Type  Herbs Native   Europe

Classification Kingdom  Plantae – Plants Subkingdom  Tracheobionta – Vascular plants Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants Division  Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants Class  Liliopsida – Monocotyledons Subclass  Liliidae Order  Liliales Family  Liliaceae – Lily family Genus  Hyacinthoides Medik. – hyacinthoides Species  H. hispanica

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica common name is Spanish Bluebell. It is native to Europe.  This is a flowering ornament plant. It is grows 25-50 cm (9-18 incs) in height. It is distinguished from the common bluebell by its paler. It has larger blue flowers, more erect flower stem (raceme),

broader leaves, blue anthers (where the common bluebell has creamy-white ones) and little or no scent compared to the strong fragrant scent of the northern species. It blooms in late spring.

The Spanish bluebell was introduced in the United Kingdom, where it has become an invasive species. The two species hybridise freely, and the resulting hybrid Hyacinthoides × massartiana and the Spanish bluebell both produce highly fertile seed and can invade areas of the native common bluebell. This has caused the common bluebell to be viewed as a threatened species.

The Spanish bluebell is also cultivated as a garden plant, and several named cultivars exist with flowers in various shades of white, pink and blue. It is also plant in the Park.

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell in the Park

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell Young Plant

Spanish Bluebell Leaves

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell Flowers

Flowers of Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica Flowers

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica- Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell

Hyacinthoides hispanica - Spanish Bluebell