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Water Lily
Nymphaea alba
Among aquatic plants, the water lily is perhaps one of the most famous, with its characteristic flower which, in Eastern tradition, represents dawn, as it opens at the first light of morning and closes in the evening. As with most leaves, the upper and lower parts, called leaf blades, are different. The upper surface of the water lily leaf, which must stay in contact with the air and absorb it, is protected by a waxy layer that makes it waterproof. We are used to seeing it in ponds or along lake shores, but did you know it can also be grown on a balcony? There are hardy dwarf varieties that can be kept in basins.
INSIGHT
Aquatic plants adopt various strategies to better adapt to their environment. One example is the water hyacinth, which has a poor reputation as it is considered one of the worst invasive species, alien species that can damage the ecosystems they colonize. Its adaptation to aquatic life involves a modification of its leaf, specifically its petiole. This develops a spongy swelling capable of retaining air, allowing the entire plant to float.
You may also have come across another curious aquatic plant in well-stocked nurseries: the “Japanese national treasure,” which we commonly call Marimo, a charming ball-shaped alga discovered in a Japanese lake in 1820. Under particular conditions, it can take on a perfectly geometric shape. Due to the movements created by the oxygen it releases, some say it “dances” in the water.