White Water Lily

Nymphaea ampla

In the Nymphaeales order, the white waterlily is also known as the European White Waterlily, White Lotus, or Nenuphar. The flowers can be anywhere from 7.5-12.5 cm. The leaves can be anywhere from 10-30 cm and they are in a rounded/heart shape. In early spring, the flowers shoot up to the surface. There are around 70 different species of water lilies. The White water lily is native the east of North America.

The leaves of the water lily provide shade which cools down the water and as a result provides dissolved oxygen. It also provides a hiding place for small creatures. White water lilies are often eaten by the black aphid, the aquatic leaf beetle, beavers, ducks, grass carp fish, and more. It is used in many medicines such as those that treat chronic diarrhea. Also, water lilies in general were used to symbolize upper Egypt and lower Egypt to show that they were united. For weddings, sometimes people choose to have a bouquet of water lilies because they symbolize purity of heart.

Story: Water Lily by Sheldon D’souza

It’s the beginning of the monsoons and of the week,

A clouded chilly one with the clouds blanketing the sun.

I’m struggling to get out of bed and into my daily routine,

Running late as always, there’s never time for fun.

The first rains of the season were not welcomed with a smile,

Cars, Buses and mopeds splashing and spraying water all around.

People cursing the rains and others on the roads,

Racing to the office is not as easy as it may sound.

It’s a dark dull day with no sunshine to light my path,

And the rain to rob me of the dryness I had left.

As a child I remember this being different in every way,

The rain bringing me cheer and happiness, never indulging in theft.

Stopping at a red light, all wet and soggy,

I see this small figure making way between the vehicles standing.

On every window and door she knocked with enthusiasm,

This little girl hopping around in every puddle landing.

Trying to sell the water lilies she had in her hand,

Not letting the frowns or the drops of rain her spirit lower.

She shines off all the hate and the disgust,

Through the muck and water walking to sell this pretty flower.

All of the dullness and gloom she got rid.

A smile on my face and in my heart she brought,

This little girl with those bright water lilies,

Like the flower she sold, all eyes and hearts she caught.

Bringing smiles and spreading fragrances in times so dull,

The water lily blooms in the muck and conditions degrading.

So did this little girl on this dark rainy day,

Returning cheer and happiness drained in the rain by blooming.