Chiba University Matsudo/Kashiwa Campus Plant Database

Details of genus: Nymphaea L. [337]

genus_ja: スイレン

genus_en: Water lily

# spp.:

pub_year:

accepted: Accepted

Family: Nymphaeaceae

family_ja: スイレン

Infra familial classification:

distribution_en:

description_en: Genus of 50 species of herbaceous, submerged aquatic perennials occurring worldwide, cultivated for their showy, sometimes fragrant flowers and floating leaves. Water lilies have horizontal or upright rhizomes or stoloniferous tubers, and broadly ovate to rounded, floating leaves, each cleft into 2 lobes, with a basal sinus and a long leaf-stalk. The mostly white, yellow, pink, red, or, in the non-hardy species, blue flowers, borne in summer, each have 4 sepals and numerous narrow petals and stamens. Berry-like fruits, with many seeds, mature under water. Hardy water lilies, usually day-blooming and with floating flowers, include 2 subgroups: the robust Marliacea Group hybrids, probably derived from N. alba, N. odorata, N. tuberosa, and N. mexicana, have rounded leaves, and flowers held just above the water; hybrids in the less vigorous Laydekeri Group, derived from N. alba and N. tetragona, have flowers held on or just above the water, and rounded, often mottled leaves. Tender, tropical water lilies are either day-blooming or night-blooming, with larger, often toothed leaves, and generally bear their flowers well above the water. Water lilies are a decorative addition to any pool; the shade of their leaves is useful in reducing algae growth. In frost-prone areas, grow tender water lilies in a conservatory in full sun.

hardiness_en: Fully hardy to frost tender.

cultivation_en:

propagation_en: Surface-sow seed as soon as ripe, and cover with 2.5cm (1in) of water; germinate hardy species at 10-13°C (50-55°F), tropical species at 23-27°C (73-81°F). The seed heads sink as seeds ripen; enclose in a muslin bag to avoid losses. Divide rhizomes of older plants, or separate offsets. Remove young plantlets from viviparous water lilies in summer, and pot individually in shallow water until established.

pests_en: Susceptible to brown china-mark moth, false leaf-mining midge, water lily beetle, water lily aphid (which overwinters on Prunus species), and brown spot, crown rot, and water lily leaf spot.

description_ja:

comment: Cosmopolitan

comment_ja: スイレン，ヒツジグサ

type_species:

Phylogenetic definition:

Update Information: Created: 2007-12-06 12:51; Updated: 2020-09-04 03:56

family: