The water lily has long, stout leaves and long flower stalks. There are usually six petals and six stamen. Water lilies are also able to reproduce by budding. The roots detach and grow into new water lilies. The root of the lily is located in the mud at the bottom of a pond. Many lilies are produced through budding.

The water lilies are well adapted to their habitat. They grow and live on the edge of ponds and lakes, in the shallow water. The climate of their habitat is usually hot. They grow in areas where there are few plants and because of this, they don't have competition for sunlight. This is very important because sunlight is the main way that water lilies are able to receive food and energy. The water lilies leaves are usually large and are able to store a lot of energy. Water lilies usually live in water that is rich in oxygen and receives a lot of sunlight.

Water lilies are in danger because the wetlands are in danger. The wetlands are home to many species and the water lily is included. People are constantly draining the wetlands and do not know the species they are destroying: cattails, beavers, ducks, and water lilies just to name a few. Water lilies are able to reproduce rapidly, but if there is no where to reproduce, (like the wetland) it becomes impossible for reproduction.

The Northern Wetlands in Australia are very similar to our very own wetlands here in the US. They have some of the same organisms, including the lily. They also must conserve their wetlands because if they don't they will be in trouble with the law and flood can occur.

Interesting Facts

Water lilies were once used in ancient Egyptian art.

The largest water lily is the Giant Water Lily. It can be found in the Amazon. It can grow to be 2 feet to 6 feet in diameter. It provides food for fish and wildlife. The only problem is that it causes drainage problems because of its large size.

The swamp lily is a breed of water lily. It reproduces and grows just as the water lily does. The only difference is that it grows in swamps.

The Yellow Lily's roots are sometimes eaten. White Lily's roots are used to treat sore mouths. The smoke from some lilies burning roots has been used to repel insects.

Claude Monet painted many paintings of water lilies. He got the idea because he had a water garden and enjoyed the plants' beauty and difference.

The lotus is a plant that is similar to the water lily. The lotus has leaves that float above the surface and is held above the water on long stalks. The lotus is a plant group made up of mainly herbs and subshrubs.

HOW TO POT WATER LILLIES

1. Use a large plastic pot at least 20cm diameter (the larger the pot the better).
2. Place a layer of aquarium sand in the bottom of the pot.
3. Position the lilly keeping the growing tip above the surface of the pot.
4. Add soil mixture around the lilly to fill pot 2/3 full. (Soil mixture is made up by adding about 10% dry cow manure to potting mix or garden soil).
5. Top up pot with layer of aquarium sand.
6. Water lilies should be re-potted every year or two in winter, when they can either be divided into several pots "potted on" into a larger container.

POSITION