Nynphaea alba

Family: Nympheaceae

Species: Nymphaea alba et var. rosea L.

Common name: White water lily

Etymology

The generic name Nymphaea derives from the Arabic word “nenufar” (itself derived from the Persian "blue lotus").

Description

These are perennial aquatic plants whose buds are either submerged or floating, with a root system that anchors them firmly to the bottom. The plants grow at the end of winter when the water starts to warm up. First, the leaves develop, and only later, in mid-spring, do the flowers appear. The most vigorous growth occurs during the warm summer months, and in autumn, as the temperature drops, growth slows until it ceases entirely at the end of October. The planting depth can vary from 15 to 200 centimetres depending on the species. The rhizome anchors tenaciously to the soil at the bottom and produces long petioles that end in a solitary leaf. Leaves that grow submerged are initially rolled up like a horn; later, they emerge from the water and unfurl, reaching large dimensions (20–30 cm in diameter) to maximise light capture. The shape is more or less round with a continuous edge.

The stem has no woody parts because the water supports the plant; instead, it is rich in air channels to facilitate floating.

The hermaphroditic flowers are large and solitary, formed by an unspecified number of petals arranged in a cyclic spiral. They last only a few days, opening in the morning and closing in the late afternoon, often partially submerging for the entire flowering season from April to September; after fertilisation—which occurs via insect pollination—the petals and sepals close to form a globular, leathery fruit that may contain up to 1,500 seeds. Once ripe, the fruits detach and overwinter on the bottom; in spring, the seeds rise to the surface to be dispersed by the wind and aquatic birds.

Water lily reproduction can also occur vegetatively through fragmentation of the rhizomes.

Habitat

This genus, originally from Asia, now has a cosmopolitan distribution. Only one species, Nymphaea alba, is found in the spontaneous Italian flora.

Properties and Uses

Water lilies have long been used as a food source and continue to be utilised in various regions of Africa and Asia. In Egypt and other parts of Africa, both the seeds and rhizomes of water lilies are consumed. The rhizomes are either boiled or roasted and are collected during the dry season when they are rich in starch. In Egypt, only the seeds of the Asian lotus and the blue water lily are used; these seeds are ground to produce flour with which bread is made.

Notes and Curiosities

Since ancient times, water lilies have inspired admiration and veneration in many distant cultures. The Egyptians have left us faithful representations of the white-flowered Nymphaea lotus and the famous blue lotus of Egypt, Nymphaea caerulea—two tropical species that populated the ponds of the Nile Valley 5,000 years ago. Differences exist between the two species, not only in their flowers' distinct blue and white colours but also in their blooming times: the blue water lily blooms during the day, while the white water lily opens at night.

The blue water lily, often depicted with its long, mostly bent stem forming a rounded knot, frequently appears among votive offerings for deities or among items for the deceased (such as on canopic jars), held in hand by worshippers or brought close to the nose to savour its perfume. It is a funeral flower, symbolising resurrection and eternal youth. Another species, Nymphaea stellata, was revered in India and China by Buddhists, as was Asia's sacred pink lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). White water lilies such as Nymphaea alba and Nymphaea candida have inspired numerous myths and popular beliefs in Europe. They symbolised beauty and elegance for the ancient Greeks, who saw in their representations of nymphs and water spirits, and for the peoples of central Europe, they were thought to ward off evil spirits.

Water lilies have also inspired great painters like Monet, who created his famous paintings in his garden at Giverny in the last century. At the Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Latour-Marliac, a passionate landowner presented new varieties of water lilies in various colours, which won over the public. Monet was undoubtedly captivated by the sight of these flowers, which reminded him of Japanese decorations; he even ordered several varieties to decorate and give meaning, with water lilies and a Japanese bridge, to the pond he created in Giverny.

Tropical water lilies are even more spectacular than their rustic counterparts because their flowers are more prominent, emergent, highly scented, and exhibit a unique blue colour not found among rustic species. Their countries of origin include Australia, the Far East, Africa, and South America. There are considerably more species of tropical water lilies than rustic ones. The flowers of tropical water lilies rise about 20 centimetres above the water surface and are produced abundantly. Their leaves are more prominent and often decorative, exhibiting coloured veins (usually purple) and serrated edges. In Northern Europe, they are grown exclusively in heated greenhouses or winter gardens; in our country, they can be cultivated outdoors in summer and protected during winter.

Today, these wonderful aquatic plants are grown as ornamentals, and they can always be admired in Richard Ginori'sLiberty-style majolica at the Civic Aquarium of Milan.

Water lilies brighten the calm, slowly flowing ponds in the Heller Botanical Garden. The floating leaves of Nymphaea alba and Nymphaea rosea block some of the sun’s rays, slowing the warming of the water and reducing the growth of filamentous algae. Moreover, the water lily leaves provide natural shelter for the fish and other aquatic animals inhabiting these small lakes.