Sometimes, when the sky grays over and the fog rolls in, the still pond waters blacken severely, but their wild water lilies burn brightly for awhile. It’s magical.
Our native Fragrant Water Lilies (Nymphaea odorata) are blooming now. Their pads are leaves that grow on flexible stalks arising from submerged roots (“rhizomes”). These lily pads attract insects and become floating al fresco cafes for small frogs and birds. Underneath the pads, fish and aquatic invertebrates, such as dragonfly nymphs, enjoy the shade on sunny days.
The genus name for the water lily, Nymphaea (“nim-FYE-ah”), is derived from the Greek and Roman name for “water lily,” which, in turn, originated as a reference to mythological water nymphs. The species name of our wild native is odorata (“o-dor-RAH-ta”), which means “fragrant,” as you probably guessed. (Image taken in Brooklin, Maine, on June 25, 2023.)