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Reproduction of Fragrant Water Lilies (Nymphaea ordorata)

Water lilies come from the family, Nymphaeaceae. They are magnificent water plants with fragrant flower blossoms that are rooted in soil beneath water and whose flowers and leaves float above the water’s surface. There are approximately forty different species that can be found worldwide in fresh water habitats. In addition to the forty species there are also numerous hybrids and varieties. Water Lilies are common in both warm and cool climates. Some water lilies, such as the Blue Water Lily. []]http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantnop/nymphnouch.htm], prefer a semi-tropical climate and can be found in Southern Africa. Others, like the Fragrant Water Lily[1] and the Yellow Lotus[2], grow in cooler climates like the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, Alaska and Canada. Fragrant Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata) are very common in the United States and can be easily identified when flowering because of their large, showy flowers. They have white or pink showy flowers. However, when the lilies are closed they can be identified by their nearly circular floating leaves that can grow up to 11 inches in diameter. The undersides of these leaves are purple or red with many veins. Also, the stem is attached to the center of the leaf and the leaves each have a deep cleft to the stem.

Water lilies reproduce[3] by seed and also by new plants sprouting from the large spreading roots (underground stems called rhizomes). A planted rhizome will cover about a 15-foot diameter in about five years. Fragrant water lily has a very unique pollination strategy. Each flower, white or pink, has many petals surrounding both the male and female reproductive parts, and is only open during the daytime for three days. On the first morning, the flowers produce a fluid in the center and are receptive to pollen from other flowers even though they are not yet releasing pollen themselves. Pollen-covered insects are attracted by the sweet smell, but the flower is designed so that when they enter the flower, they fall into the fluid. This washes the pollen off their bodies and onto the female flower parts (stigmas) causing fertilization. Usually the insects manage to crawl out of the fluid and live to visit other flowers, but occasionally the unfortunate creature will remain trapped and die when the flower closes during the afternoon.

On the second and the third days, the flowers are no longer receptive to pollen, and no fluid is produced. Instead, pollen is released from the stamens (the flexible yellow match-shaped structures in the flower center). Visiting insects pick up the pollen and transport it to flowers in the first day of the flowering cycle. After the three days the flowers are brought under water by coiling their stalks. The seeds mature under water and after several weeks are released into the water. Water currents or ducks, which eat the seeds, distribute them to other areas. This flowering regimen is followed nearly throughout the summer, producing numerous beautiful blooms and a large supply of seeds.

Resources: Access Washington; Official State Government Website. July 14, 2005:

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua005.html http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/lily.html

Worldbook Encyclopedia Website. July 14, 2005: http://www2.worldbook.com/wc/popup?path=features/cybercamp&page=html/walklily.html&direct=yes

Columbia University Press. July 14, 2005: http://www.answers.com/water%20lily