Lake Habitat Land Habitats School Site
St. Joseph's Intermediate "Exploring Land Habitats" Project
Water lilies (Nymphaeaceae) are aquatic perennial plants, usually having floating leaves and large floating flowers. The white fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata), found throughout the Province, is known for its exotic, lemony-vanilla scent around ponds from mid to late summer. Its lotus-like bloom, composed of ivory petals, is clustered around a yolk- coloured heart. The flowers usually open early in the day and close in the afternoon. The large, floating, notched leaves turn from green to dull ruby in late summer. Rhizomes of this plant contain a floury substance which, when washed, is edible. They have also been used medicinally for their cooling properties, both internally and as a poultice. Ducks eat the seeds of this plant, and moose feed on its leaves, stems and rhizomes. The cup-like yellow pond lily (Nuphar variegatum), also called bullhead lily, blooms from early to mid-summer in the Province's
Water lily, also called pond lily, is the popular name for various beautiful water plants that grow in both temperate and hot climates. Water lilies send their long, stout leaf and flower stalks up from the mud bottom of clear, shallow water. Their narrow to round green leaves usually are seen floating on the surface of the water but may also be submerged. The flowers are usually raised above the water on long flower stalks. The white-flowered water lily is the most common. The flowers may be as large as 1 foot (30 centimeters) across. Some of the water lilies bloom during the day and others during the night. The water lily is the flower for the month of July.