What are the characteristics of water lilies and Lotus?
Water lily and lotus are two types of aquatic flowering plants important in horticulture. They grow in freshwater. They have tuberous roots, long stems, fairly circular leaves. Also, the petals of their flowers are numerous, large, rose or white-colored. Insects pollinate their flowers, and as a result, they produce seeds.
Is a lotus plant an aquatic plant?
The Lotus plant is an aquatic perennial, native to southern Asia and Australia and most commonly cultivated in water gardens. The plant has its roots firmly in the mud and sends out long stems to which their leaves are attached. Is a water lily a plant?
What is the size of a lotus flower?
The lotus flower can reach 1 foot across, although there is a species of water lily called Victoria amazonica that has similarly gigantic flowers. Both lotus and water lily have fragrant flowers.
What is a water lily plant?
The water lily plant is an aquatic flowering plant belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. They have over 70 species. Just like most aquatic plants, the leaves and flowers spread just above the water surface and floats all along. The main two types of water lilies that you will commonly see are the hardy water lily and tropical water lily plants.
What is the difference between a water lily and a lotus?
The flowers and leaves of the Water Lily grow on the surface of the water, and the leaves and flowers of the Lotus, grow above water. Water Lily is more hardy than Lotus which means that it is more widespread.
What is the scientific name of a lotus?
The scientific name of the lotus is Nelumbo. This genus includes only two species, Nelumbo nucifera (sacred lotus) and Nelumbo lutea (American lotus). The water lily has another name, Nymphaea. It is a genus of plants that includes about 70 plant species.
How tall are water lilies?
At the same time, their height is not the same. The underwater part of both plants is 2 to 3 feet tall. But the above-water part of the lotus is 4-6′ (1.2-1.8 m) high and the water lily is 2-8′ (5-20 cm).
How long does it take for a water lily to bloom?
Water lily and Lotus seed pods. Lotus and water lily flowers bloom for an average of 3-4 days. After pollination, the petals wither and the seed ripening process begins. In fact, this is another big difference between these plants. Lotus seed ripening is very similar to the seed ripening of most flowers.
How many feet can a water lily reach?
In the wild, leaf petioles can reach five feet or more. The water lily has only one type of leaf that floats on the surface of the pond. Some leaves may be partially or completely submerged in water but overall this is not typical of these plants. Water lily and Lotus leaves.
What does the water lily symbolize?
At all times the symbolism of the water lily has had different meanings. Nowadays the flowers of this plant are national plants or depicted on the coats of arms of several Asian countries. This symbolizes that many people revere the water lily and consider it positive.
What is the center of a lotus?
The water lily has the typical center of most flowers, that is, the pistil and stamens are placed there. At the same time, the lotus has an androecial ring in the middle of the flower, which looks quite unusual and gives some decorative value. Since the water lily is a genus of plants, it includes many species.
1. Origin and plant families
Water lilies belong to the family Nimphaaceae which includes about 60 plant species, classified into two basic types: hardy water lilies native to North America and tropical water lilies native to the Amazon region.
2. Flowers
Water lily flowers are generally smaller but have thin, towards the end trapped petals. They come in various colors, including white, cream, pink, purple, reddish, and blue. The flowers usually last three to four days and have a pleasant scent often used in various perfumes’ compositions.
3. Leaves
The lotus has regular, monochromatic green, round leaves 18 to 36 inches in diameter. They grow in 3 levels: underwater closer to the root leaves floating on the water and leaves rising above the water. The leaf surface is velvety and rough, so drops of dew or rain on them stay and shimmer in the sun.
4. Rootball
The lotus has a tuberous, thickened root that spreads in all directions. Although it can also be grown as a classic hydroculture without soil, when planted in a pot or, pond the plant’s root needs a bed of at least a 4-inch thick layer of clay or loam dirt.
5. Edibility
Unlike the water lily, which generally is not edible, the lotus has been known for 7,000 years as a plant used in diet and medicine in Asia.
Hardiness
The lotus is a perennial and, with proper care, can beautify your garden pond for years. Despite its exotic appearance, it is a hardy plant that thrives in the USA climate zone 5 and above. It means they and overwinter in water without problems as long as the pond bottom is not frozen.
Pot or pound?
The lotus is a plant that can thrive in shallow water and therefore is more suitable for growing in bowls. On the market, you can find dwarf lotus varieties that are successfully grown in smaller pots with a diameter of 20 inches.
What is a lotus plant?
Lotus is a type of aquatic plant belonging to the family Nelumbonaceae. Unlike water lilies that spread and float on the water surface, the leaves and flowers of lotus raise above the level of water.
What is a water lily?
The water lily plant is an aquatic flowering plant belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae. They have over 70 species. Just like most aquatic plants, the leaves and flowers spread just above the water surface and floats all along.
How long does it take for water lilies to produce pollen?
On the second day, nectar production stops, and the flower produces pollen for two days. By the third day, the flower coils and contracts, thus pulling the height into the water where the seeds mature inside the ovary.
How high can a lotus grow?
This lovely lotus features dark red flowers that will flower in colder weather. They can grow as much as 4 ft above the water. Bali red requires many weeks of sunny, warm weather, and rich soil to bloom well. Lotus is more demanding to cultivate.
How big do water lilies get?
The main two types of water lilies that you will commonly see are the hardy water lily and tropical water lily plants. Hardy lilies are 8 to 12 inches long, and its flowers blooming between 6 to 12 inches above. Hardly lilies further have two main types which include the Blue Aster and Helvola. The first is a medium-sized plant with green ...
What are water lilies used for?
Water lily, lotus, and other flowering aquatic plants are lovely and beautiful that they have now been used to create ponds, patios, and beautify the environment. If you are looking to grow them but skeptical about which to pick, especially between water lily vs lotus, an understanding of the major characteristics will help you decide. ...
Why do water lilies produce seeds?
They produce seeds because of the pollination of their flowers by insects. They possess tuberous roots, long stems, fairly circular leaves. Water lily and lotus are two types of aquatic flowering plants. Their petals are numerous, large, rose or white-colored.
What is the difference between a lotus and a water lily?
What is the Difference Between Water Lily and Lotus. The main difference between water lily and lotus is that water lily belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae, whereas lotus belongs to the family Nelumbonaceae . Furthermore, the leaves and flowers of water lily float on the water surface while the leaves and the flowers of lotus rise above ...
What leaves do water lilies have?
Also, the leaves of water lily are mostly variegated, having green leaves mottled with a dark purple or are completely dark purple, while the leaves of lotus are not variegated.
What are the two types of aquatic plants?
Water lily and lotus are two types of aquatic flowering plants important in horticulture. They grow in freshwater. They have tuberous roots, long stems, fairly circular leaves. Also, the petals of their flowers are numerous, large, rose or white-colored.
What is a lotus?
Lotus – Definition, Characteristics, Importance. Lotus is a type of aquatic plant which belongs to the family Nelumbonaceae. One of the two extant species of lotus includes Nelumbo nucifera, which is also known as Indian lotus, sacred lotus, bean of India, Egyptian bean or simply lotus. The second species is Nelumbo lutea.
How high do water lilies rise?
Although the leaves of the tropical water lily float on the water surface, its flowers rise above the surface of the water about 6-8 inches. Water lily and lotus are two types of aquatic flowering plants important in horticulture. Generally, they add a delicate but robust beauty and variety to backyard ponds.
What is a water lily?
The water lily is a type of aquatic flowering plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, containing five genera and around 70 species. The main distinguishing feature of water lily is the floating of leaves and flowers on the water surface. The two main types of water lily are the hardy water lily and tropical water lily.
Where does the water lily bloom?
Water lily blooms above the water level and the maturation of seeds occurs inside the water. In contrast, the complete cycle of blossom to the seed of lotus occurs above the water.
Water Lily – Definition, Characteristics, Importance
Lotus – Definition, Characteristics, Importance
Similarities Between Water Lily and Lotus
Difference Between Water Lily and Lotus
- The lotus has a tuberous, thickened root that spreads in all directions.Although it can also be grown as a classic hydroculture without soil, when planted in a pot or, pond the plant’s root needs a bed of at least a 4-inch thick layer of clay or loam dirt. The water lily has a similar root. But it is rhizomatous. And it spreads horizontally with ne...