The broad, green leaves often called “lily pads” create a serene aquatic landscape. While these familiar floating leaves provide a lush surface, the vibrant blooms emerging from them are distinct. This article clarifies what these aquatic flowers are called and explores their unique characteristics.
The Flowers’ True Names
The flowers commonly associated with “lily pads” are primarily water lilies, belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family. Lotuses, part of the Nelumbonaceae family, are sometimes mistaken for water lilies. The term “lily pad” refers to the large, floating leaves of these aquatic plants, not their flowers.
Water lilies and lotuses produce striking blossoms in a wide spectrum of colors, including white, pink, red, yellow, and blue. These flowers feature multiple layers of petals and emerge from the water to open during the day, contrasting beautifully with their broad, green foliage. While both plants have large floating leaves, their flowers exhibit distinct features.
Water Lily Versus Lotus
Water lilies and lotuses have clear distinctions despite their shared aquatic habitat and large leaves. Water lily leaves typically have a V-shaped notch and float directly on the water’s surface. Their flowers commonly float on the water or extend slightly above it on short stems. These leaves are often round and flat, spreading across the pond or lake.
In contrast, lotus leaves are generally round, lack the V-shaped notch, and often rise significantly above the water on sturdy stems. These elevated leaves possess a unique waxy coating that causes water to bead up and roll off, known as the “lotus effect.” Lotus flowers also typically extend well above the water on strong, upright stems. A distinctive seed pod, resembling a showerhead with multiple holes, is visible after the petals fall.
Life in the Water
Water lilies and lotuses thrive in various freshwater environments, including ponds, calm lakes, and slow-moving rivers. These plants anchor themselves in the mucky sediment, with long stems extending from their roots to allow leaves and flowers to access sunlight at the water’s surface.
These aquatic plants play a beneficial role within their ecosystems. Their expansive leaves provide natural shade, which helps regulate water temperature and offers shelter for various aquatic organisms, including fish and amphibians. They also contribute to the water’s oxygen levels through photosynthesis and serve as a food source for certain herbivorous aquatic animals. Many of these flowers also exhibit a fascinating daily cycle, opening their petals in the morning and closing them as evening approaches, only to reopen the following day.