Nymphaeaceae

(The water lily family)

Family Description

Aquatic plants characterized by a waxy top-coat. Usually circular in shape, these dicots can be seen floating on bodies of freshwater throughout the world. The leaves and flowers are what float on the surface; the stems are buried in the mud. Some species of water lilies can have leaves that are six feet in diameter. Perennial and laticiferous (contains latex), water lilies are divided into two categories: hardy and tropical. The hardy are day-blooming, while the tropical are night-blooming. The leaves are mostly palmately veined. Lilies are insect pollinated, with large, solitary flowers that are often fragrant.

Distribution

Water lilies are very ubiquitous (except in frigid regions). They are found throughout the world in temperate to tropical climates in freshwater bodies.

Economic Importance

Widely sought after for its ‘aesthetic’ quality in ponds and water gardens. Some species are used to feed fish that are grown in tropical aquaculture. The lily was famously portrayed by the french artist Claude Monet in many paintings.

Phylogenetic Position

Local Representatives

Sites Used

http://www.answers.com/topic/water-lily

http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/nymphaea.htm

http://science.jrank.org/pages/7309/Water-Lilies-Ecological-economic-importance.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeaceae