A Brief History of Water Lilies
Water Lilies - Past And Present
The flowering aquatic plants to which most of us refer collectively as water lilies were among the first splashes of beauty that man noticed on this earth. Earlier plant forms were in profusion but the process of evolution seems to have favored water lilies with quick development to their ultimate form. Remains of Tropical water lilies have been found in European pre-Ice Age stratas and these remains show the early types to have been of the same basic form that persists among Tropical species today. The following is a brief historical background of water lilies and its role in a gardener's collection.
Early Beginnings
The dimmest beginnings of art and writing include the water lily as well as closely related members (cousins) of the botanical family. The family tree of the water lilies is confusing, made so principally by a score of early plant anatomists, horticulturists and botanists, each of whom bent it accordingly to satisfy his personal bias in classification.
The basic lineage of water lilies is fairly obvious, however. In the four great divisions of the vegetable kingdom, they fall under the largest of all -- Spermatophyta, the flowering plants, and then into one of the two subdivisions -- the Angiospermae, plants that reproduce through seeds fertilized within a closed ovary.
Under one of two classes encompassed by the subdivision, water lilies are listed with the Dicotyledoneae, plants whose sprouting seeds are fed by food stored in two fleshy, leaflike appendages or cotyledons. Further, in a subclass of the Dicotyledoneae, they are listed with the Archichlamydeae -- flowering plants which bear their petals separately. Then they fall into the order of Ranales, a classification based on the manner of placement of the petals on the stem. Other plant families in this order are buttercups and magnolias, whose blooms to the imaginative observer show a certain structural resemblance to those of water lilies.
Family, Genus and Sections
Under Ranales, the family in which we are interested principally, is the Nymphaeaceae -- the Water Lily family. The varied genera which spring from Nymphaeaceae include almost all the flowering aquatic plants which have ever been called water lily or Lotus. From this point in the classification system, we no longer speak of all water flowers as water lilies. One inferior genus of the family is called Nuphar, plants commonly known as cow lilies, spatter docks and yellow pond lilies. Another genus is Victoria, the most regal and spectacular of all flowering aquatics. Another is Nelumbo, from which springs the Lotus species. Hardies are also a popular species of water lilies.
Modern History
Over the last one hundred years, water lily history has become clearer. It begins early in the last century with a white man's discovery of a strange and wondrous flower in the deep, wide lagoons of the South American jungles. The natives gave the strange plant many names -- Yrupe or Irupe, Dachocho, Marura, Morinqua. Yrupe, literally water platter, seemed the most suitable. The rich purplish-green leaves, deeply veined on the underside, floated on the surface of the water in a magnificent expanse, often covering an area seven to eight feet wide. The edges of the leaves, upturned to form a two to eight inch watertight rim, made the "platters" quite buoyant.
The flowers, up to 15 inches wide, opened at dusk, remained open all night and closed again after sunrise. They released a delicious, powerful, and far-reaching fragrance somewhat like that of crushed pineapple. The flowers changed color, almost perceptibly, as the amazed white man watched. The bud, when it first spread itself, was creamy white, which gradually gave way to a pink blush, then to a definite pink, and on through the shades of deeper pink until, on the second night of its life, the bloom appeared a deep purplish-red hue. The pod-like fruit, as large as a baby's head, as well as the stems and bloom, was protected by strong, sharp spines which the natives believed to be venomous. A few of the hardier bushmen, however, dared to collect the fruit and break it open for the cluster of hard, shiny seeds, soft and mealy within. They called the seeds, which were considered a great delicacy, water corn or water maize.
Popularity of Water Lily Pools
Undoubtedly, these gorgeous flowers have been popular in gardens. Water lily pools are created as a focal point in many outdoor living areas. Most pools are made of concrete and are accentuated with aquatic accessories such as border plants and goldfish -- adding to the charm of this tranquil site. If a water lily pool appeals to you, seek advice on the various pool designs to suit your tastes and needs. Professionals will also advise you on pool maintenance (including pest and disease control) , winter care, planting the pool, curing and give you a run down on the "best of the best" where water lily water features are concerned.
As goldfish are popular additions to water lily pools, see the following articles on how to care for these water lily friends:
Aquariums, Scavengers for Pools and Aquariums
Care and Feeding of Goldfish, Goldfish Enemies, Goldfish Species