Water lily plant. Water lily (water lily): beautiful photos and description of the plant

Water lily white, or water lily, or nymphaeum white (Nymphaea alba), has a flower of incredible beauty, truly worthy of worship. Therefore, the white water lily bears the proud titles of "queen of the waters" and "northern".

In my homeland, in Belarus, the white water lily is found mainly in the floodplain of the Pripyat (sleeves, oxbow lakes, downstream tributaries) in low-flowing water. This plant is included in the Red Book of the Republic, although there are quite a lot of thickets of nymphaeum in the places of habitual habitat.

Another type of water lilies - a pure white water lily - is distributed throughout Belarus. It has a number of differences, among which are the smaller size of the flowers and the not so flawless white color of the petals.

The rhizome of the water lily, taken from a natural reservoir, is often taken by amateur flower growers in order to be able to admire its regal flowers throughout the garden season.
Despite the temptation of breeding, the white water lily lends itself to cultivation poorly - because of the need for a small but mandatory flow of water.

Water lily bloom

The water lily flower is the largest (up to 15 cm in diameter) among those in our climate.
The petals of a white water lily are really dazzling white color. During the day, they are wide open, showing the golden center of the flower and exuding a faint aroma.

Tearing the beautiful flowers of a white water lily is not only a criminal occupation, but also meaningless: a plucked water lily fades immediately.

Around the buds and flowers of the nymphaeum are large rounded leaves. They are glossy green, and the blades of their plates diverge to the sides. Petioles of leaves go under water to a perennial rhizome, sometimes to a rather considerable depth.

The flower of the nymphaeum is pollinated mainly by beetles. They often spend the night in water lilies, eating pollen and sprinkling it.

Reproduction of the nymph

Water lily seeds ripen under water, and the shape of its fruit to a certain extent resembles a jug.
After ripening, the seeds of the nymphs float to the surface. Their accumulations are very similar to fish caviar, thanks to which birds do not leave these seeds unattended, contributing to the resettlement of water lilies in water bodies.

The water lily also reproduces vegetatively,.

Water lily in legends and legends

In the Middle Ages, the snow-white "queen of the waters" was a recognized symbol of purity. And the seeds of the white nymph were considered a means of tempering passions, and in this capacity they were offered to the inhabitants of the monasteries.
I won’t say for the water lily (who knows what is forgotten here, what is confused, and what requires closer study), but the preparations of her close relative - - have a contraceptive effect, this is a scientific fact.

White nymphaeum under the name " swan flower"was a subject of adoration among the Germanic tribes, and stylized images of water lilies were present on their standards and coats of arms.

It is impossible not to mention the magical properties attributed to the water lily. "Odolen-grass" ... (in other Slavic languages, valerian was so called for its wonderful healing and magical qualities). And on East Slavic soil, this name was transferred to a white water lily. Yes, and a pure white water lily, since the popular idea of separate form plants are usually broader than strictly botanical: "a water lily - it is a water lily."

According to ancient beliefs, a water lily drives away evil spirit and illness.
A decoction of the nymph was considered a love drink, and also helped with poisoning and toothache ( official medicine only the hypotensive effect of the alkaloids of the rhizome of the plant is recognized).

It was believed that the herb-grass helped in the journey, so the dried parts of the plant were hidden on the chest, setting off on a journey.
"Overcome-grass! Overcome you evil people: famously they wouldn’t think about us, they wouldn’t think badly. Drive away the sorcerer, the sneak. Overcome-grass! Overcome my high mountains, low valleys, blue lakes, steep banks, dark forests, stumps and decks ... I will hide you, overpowered grass, at a zealous heart, all the way and all the way "(from a conspiracy on a long journey, which is not quotes in relation to the water lily only lazy).

Water lily flowers open around 7 am and close in the evening by 6 pm. This is exact time awakening and falling asleep of flowers allowed Linnaeus to include the nymphaeum in the list of “plant-flower clocks”.

It was Carl Linnaeus who gave the water lilies a generic name in honor of the mythological nymphs. And in the Slavic environment, the water lily flower was also steadily associated with local nymphs - mermaids. After all, a water lily, like a mermaid, is as attractive as it is destructive. At those depths where the nymphaeum grows, the water under the beautiful flower hunter will be enough to drown, entangled in its slippery strong stems ...

Actually, about the beautiful white water lily, if I could, I spoke only in verse!

Irina Tugai (Republic of Belarus)
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The water lily belongs to the Water Lily family, which includes more than 50 species of perennials with powerful, fleshy rhizomes. A water lily is often mistakenly called a capsule.

This is amazing flower. The white water lily (the Red Book of Russia includes it as a rare plant) among the Slavs was an indispensable component of various means for a love spell. It was believed that this plant, taken on the road with you, would protect a person from any evil. Carl Linnaeus, a famous biologist who collected legends about this plant, was surprised by the fate of the nymph, rejected by Hercules, and turned into a water lily by the gods. Because of this, he decided to give in her honor Latin name flower - white nymphaeum.

Claude Monet, a French painter, painted the canvas "White Water Lilies" in oil in 1899. He reflected in him how beautiful the nature that surrounds us is.

The white water lily (water lily) is a natural weather forecaster. There are a huge number of signs of plant behavior depending on the weather.

It has been noticed over the years that if the flowers open early in the morning, then there will be clear weather all day, while if it does not appear until 9 am, then it will rain. If it didn’t appear at all, there will soon be a strong and prolonged downpour.

White water lily: description

It is a stemless perennial herbaceous and aquatic plant with large, floating leaves. It belongs to the water lilies. It has a creeping rhizome, adjacent to it are heart-shaped leaves, as well as long pedicels with white single flowers. Flowers with large quantity white petals, emit a light fragrance, float on the water. Their calyx is four-leaved, green. Many stamens, radiant multi-parted stigma of pistil. Fruits - spherical, green, always ripen under water. Flowering occurs in June-July.

flower names

The medicinal plant white water lily is nicknamed: water White Lily, overcome, water color, aquarius, adalen, white hens, water companion, water poppy, balabolka, big lapushnik ...

Places of growth

It grows in the European part of our country, in the southern part of Siberia, in the Urals, Belarus, Ukraine, Eastern Transcaucasia, in the North Caucasus. In a white water lily, the habitat is stagnant and slowly flowing waters (lakes, ponds, river bays).

Recently, the conditions for the plant to live in nature have been deteriorating, therefore, today it has been included in the Red Book.

reproduction

Reproduction occurs by segments of the rhizome, which have dormant buds. The cut should be sprinkled with ash or crushed charcoal. Leaves and roots do not tolerate drying, therefore, you should not stretch the division process. The plant for transportation is placed in a small container with clean water.

Composition of white water lily

Water lily white (its description is given in this article) in the roots contains tannins, starch, alkaloid nymphalin; in the petals - flavonoids, cardenomide nymphalin; in the leaves - tannins, oxalic acid, flavonoids; in seeds - tannins, starch and fatty oil.

AT medicinal purposes rhizomes, leaves and flowers of the plant are used. Roots store up early autumn, Leaves And Flowers - Summer.

Medicinal properties

White water lily, or rather, its flowers, have a calming, antipyretic, analgesic, hypnotic effect.

Procurement and collection

The collection period of the water lily is selected depending on the required part of it.

If these are roots, then collection should be carried out in early autumn, when a huge amount of nutrients. They are mined from the bottom with the help of hooks, then they are cleaned from leaf cuttings, small roots. Then they are washed, cut into pieces of the same size and dried in a ventilated room or outdoors in the shade.

If these are buds or flowers of a white water lily plant, then you need to accurately select the time of collection. This should take place during flowering. In addition, they need to be collected before 5 pm, and if just buds, then before 7 am or immediately after 5 pm, since the flowers after this time are submerged under water. Mostly flowers are taken in fresh, but if necessary, they are dried in a ventilated shady place.

The leaves of the plant can be collected in the fall before the onset of cold weather around the clock. The leaves are dried in the same conditions as all other parts - in a ventilated shady room.

The fruits and seeds of the water lily are collected during its flowering (it should be borne in mind that one flower blooms only 4 days): for example, the seeds are taken directly from the surface of the water, where they float in "capsules", while the fruits are taken at a shallow depth under water. Seeds and fruits must be dried after harvest.

Although not only these rules are recommended to be followed by magicians and healers. When various parts of the water lily are plucked, one should always appease the water spirit, since this plant is under its protection: this can be done by throwing a piece of bread or a few coins into the water.

When collecting a plant, you need to remember that the water lily is listed in the Red Books in many countries, therefore, it can be collected only in limited quantities.

Application

The white water lily plant is actively used in traditional medicine. An infusion of flowers is used to quench thirst, as a sedative and antipyretic. effective remedy. An aqueous infusion of these flowers is used for insomnia as a hypnotic and sedative.

Medicinal preparations from the rhizomes and roots of the plant help reduce inflammation of the skin, while crushed are used as mustard plasters.

If you add white water lily leaves to the roots of the plant, this decoction will help with constipation and jaundice. Roots boiled in wort are consumed by lactating women, thereby increasing the amount of milk.

An alcoholic tincture made from the leaves is drunk for urolithiasis. In case of hair loss, it is recommended to wash your hair with a decoction of the roots of the plant.

An infusion prepared from the flowers of this medicinal plant, is used for baths and washings, in addition to relieving pain as an external remedy.

Dry rhizomes can be ground into flour and baked into bread.

Relieve pain with flowers

You will need a crushed flower (white water lily). Pour boiling water over it, then wrap it in gauze, and then apply it to the affected area.

Skin cleaning

You will need fresh white water lily petals. They need to be filled with water and left to boil for 15 minutes, then it is necessary to infuse for 4 hours. Ready to wash - in a very short time, acne will disappear in the skin.

infusion of petals

A small amount of fresh petals of a white water lily should be poured with a glass of boiling water, held for an hour, filtered, applied orally to quench thirst in small sips in the presence of insomnia and fever. A white water lily flower also in this form is suitable for people suffering from ailments of the nervous system.

Cardiac weakness

Mix a couple of tablespoons of white water lily petals, as well as red hawthorn flowers, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, then use every 2 hours.

Contraindications

The use of such medicinal products, which are obtained from various parts water lilies, should take place under the supervision of a specialist. This is explained simply - the white water lily itself is very poisonous.

The Red Book of Russia, by the way, included the flower in the list of rare plants, so its extraction is now prohibited.

White water lily - unique aquatic plant, which can rightfully be called the most beautiful plant inhabitant of water. Beyond the extraordinary appearance, white water lilies (the second name of water lilies) have healing properties.

Unfortunately, they are becoming less and less, and in many countries the plant is listed in the Red Book.

The snow-white water lily grows in reservoirs with a stagnant or slowly flowing water having a depth of up to 2 meters (lakes, ponds). The plant is found in subtropics, temperate and tropical regions.

Fragile in appearance, it has a rhizome reaching 3 meters long. Creeping dark brown roots of the plant cling tightly to the surface of the water. For breathing and strengthening the tissues of the water lily, the surface of the root has many air channels.

Plant stems are straight round section, stretch to the surface of the water. Depending on the age stem color may change from burgundy green to light green. The density of the stem gives the plant the ability to withstand wind gusts and stay in place.

The snow-white water lily has underwater leaves and leaves floating on the surface of the water. The underwater leaves are membranous and folded into a "cap", under which the buds and developing emersed leaves are located.

The outer leaves are dark green, heart-shaped, and reach 30 cm in size.

White water lily flowers located on floating leaves, and have a diameter of up to 15 cm. The stamens of the flower yellow color, its calyx has 4-5 large petals, and the rest of the petals are located along the contour. Milky white flower.

Biological features:

• flowers open after sunrise, but close and go under water before it enters;
• flowers remain closed in the rain;
• underside of floating sheet converts light energy into heat energy;
• the length of the petioles of the leaves is the longer, the greater the depth of the reservoir;
• the water lily predicts the weather: if the flower does not open in the morning, the day will be rainy, and if the opened flower closes in the middle of the day and disappears under water, bad weather is expected.

Pure white water lily bloom

flowering time depends on climatic conditions. In a sunny and warm climate, the plant blooms in mid-June. If the conditions are cool, or it is in constant shade, flowering begins in July.

The duration of flowering also depends on the weather, and can last until October.

Her can be grown on own site by organizing a small pond. The only condition is the sufficient size of the artificial reservoir.

Planting is carried out with the help of a rhizome, on which the kidneys should be located. Laid in a special container, the root is sprinkled with earth and gravel, then sinks to the bottom of the pond.

What is useful snow-white water lily

Rhizome

The root contains starch (about 50%), essential oils, sugar and protein. In addition, the rhizome is a source of tannins and alkaloids.

These properties make it possible to apply the root in pharmacology: for the manufacture of Zdrenko's homeopathic collection and decoctions for the treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system.

In many countries of the world, the root is eaten fried and pickled. In the Scandinavian countries, the root of the flower is used as a raw material for the manufacture of high-quality flour and spices.

The raw rhizome is toxic. During preparation and consumption medicines dosage must be strictly adhered to.

flowers

The flower of the plant is applied to get infusion. This remedy helps fight fever and painful thirst. An infusion of flowers is an excellent hypnotic and sedative, and a decoction of water lily and hawthorn buds has a beneficial effect on the heart muscle.

It has a strong psychotropic effect. It is forbidden to start treatment of the nervous system with strong decoctions without the prior approval of the doctor.

Externally used as "mustard plasters". This tool helps with colds and sciatica, fights inflammation on the skin. Baths with the addition of infusion are used for pain in muscles and joints.

Widely applied for cosmetic purposes. Rinsing the hair and scalp with infusion of the plant will help get rid of dandruff. A decoction of leaves and flowers is a bleaching agent that relieves freckles, unwanted sunburn, and skin inflammation.

Recipes

• To support work heart muscle: 1 liter of boiling water pour 4 tablespoons of a mixture of water lily petals and hawthorn flowers (take plants in a 50/50 ratio). The resulting mixture is infused for one night, filtered, and consumed every 2 hours, 1 tablespoon.
• For cooking soothing decoction you need to take 5 large flowers, pour 0.5 liters of water, and boil over low heat. Then the mixture is filtered (the secreted green liquid should get into the medicine). After that, the broth must be boiled again, and kept on fire until the volume is reduced by half. Take the medicine at night for 5 drops.
• Get a remedy for toothache you can do this: 1 tablespoon of pure rhizome pour 250 ml of boiling water and put on fire for 15 minutes. Cool the broth to room temperature and use as a mouthwash.
• To obtain painkiller Wrap 2-3 tablespoons of flowers in gauze and place in boiling water for 2 minutes. Apply the compress to the affected area. This tool helps to fight myalgia, rheumatism.
• To prepare an infusion that fights with skin diseases , it is necessary to boil a mixture of two tablespoons of petals and 500 ml of water for 5 minutes. Then the medicine is infused for about 8 hours, and filtered. Then it is used to wash the affected skin.

All parts of the plant white water lily have medicinal properties. The plant is harvested depending on what part of it is needed.

The roots are harvested late autumn, leaves and fruits are harvested at the end of summer, and flowers - during their most active flowering (July or August, depending on climatic conditions).

Collect water lily allowed only in areas of intensive growth to avoid destroying it rare plant. Collection should be done with the utmost care.

When harvesting, you need to make sure that the plant is exactly a white water lily. If you make a mistake, the use of the medicine can be harmful to health.

General contraindications for use

Medicinal and cosmetics from the plant white water lily not to be used by children, pregnant and lactating women. It is contraindicated in persons allergic to nymphalin and hypotension.

White water lily - amazing plant, striking in beauty and surrounded by a mass of myths and legends of the peoples different countries peace. However, she has an impressive list. medicinal properties, allowing its use in cosmetology, pharmaceuticals and herbal medicine.

The water lily has been known since ancient times.. Legends were made about her and endowed with miraculous powers, worn as a talisman. Her old name- overcome the grass. And from Latin, its name is pronounced as "Nymphaeum".

The flower is unusually beautiful and looks fabulous on the water surface. To date, the nymphaeum is the most beautiful, bright plant on domestic ponds, lakes.

Water lily is listed in the Red Book- protected by law, due to the reduction of the species.

What does a flower look like where it grows

If you watch a water lily at dawn, you will get an indelible feeling!

When this magical creation of nature rises from the depths of a reservoir, and then opens a bud before your eyes, you understand that a flower is being born right now. And so one after another.

What is surprising during the day, the flower moves around the pond following the sun turning his head towards the rays. If clouds run into the sky, then the bud instantly closes.

And closer to sunrise, the lily prepares for its dive under the water. If the weather is cloudy in the morning, then the water lily may not rise to the surface of the water at all.

Nymphea blooms from early June to late October, depending on the variety. About 50 species can be found of this flower.

Useful information: the uniqueness of the flower is that the water lily is an amphibious plant that can grow both on water and on land.

Can grow in lakes, rivers with slow flowing water. In reservoirs from the temperate, tropical zone to the forests and tundra of Russia, Canada and Scandinavia. Some frost-resistant species calmly endure wintering in freezing water bodies.

The appearance of the flower is so diverse that you can meet a plant in diameter from 3 to 30 centimeters, not to mention the inflorescence palette.

Water lilies have a powerful root system in the form of tubers. Long roots go down from them, which also serve as an anchor for the flower.

Planting and caring for a white water lily

Can it reproduce?

According to the biological description, nymphs reproduce vegetatively by rhizomes, less often by seeds, (with the help of fish that shake the plant on contact), as well as pollen(thanks to beetles and insects).

In the natural environment, a water lily propagated by shoots from rhizomes. It is enough to cut off the rhizome with a kidney and plant it in a pot.

Dividing and planting nymphs:

How to plant this flower in water?

Plant a water lily optimally at any time, from May to the end of September. If the pond is heated and large, then the plant can be planted directly into the ground. AT small ponds placed in special containers.

If you plant a flower directly in a container, this will greatly facilitate your labor costs for moving the plant to a warm place during wintering.

Containers should be wide and low, with drainage holes. If the holes are too large, then burlap is lined at the bottom to avoid washing out the soil.

And don't forget about the outer part of the flower container: it should be dark in color so that it doesn't peek out from the bottom of the pond.

The soil for the water lily should consist of garden soil, sand and compost. You can add bone meal, it will positively affect the development and growth of the flower.

When planting, the rhizomes must be laid on the ground with their roots down so that they do not float. But it is necessary to plant rhizomes so that they protrude a little from the ground. Otherwise, the water lily will grow and develop poorly.

Also it is possible to grow a flower from its seeds. To do this, you need to take a container, container or pot and pour some water with sand. Press the seeds into the sand and again add water. You will get about 3-4 centimeters of water above the seeds.

Already after 6-12 days it will be possible to observe the rise of the first adventitious roots. At the same time, the time comes for the first transplant into 2-4 cm pots, and after the second transplant, 7 cm pots are chosen.

The second transplant is carried out in pots already directly into the reservoir, with temperature regime water +18-22C.

The next step is the final one. Choose 20 cm pots and transplant flowers into a reservoir of water to a depth of 40-50 cm, where they are kept at a water temperature of + 20 + 22C.

In order for the nymphaeum to endure the winter well, it is important that the depth of the pond reaches 1-1.5 meters. If the depth is less or more, the flower must be removed to a dark place.

To do this, it is first prepared: the dying leaves are removed and the container with water is removed in a warm place. So the water lily goes into hibernation.

The water level in the container should be up to 4 cm above the rhizome. And in the spring, the beauty will return to her pond.

Household use

Water lily is used in the household for various needs.

For example, rhizomes are used for food. Cut into slices, dry, grind to a state of flour. Then they are washed and used for baking bread and flat cakes.

With acute respiratory infections, the roots of the flower are used as a mustard plaster. And decoctions and infusions are used in the treatment of malignant tumors. Also, the decoction has a calming property for the central nervous system.

For its hemostatic property, often used for wounds. Soothes and reduces pain. Also, rhizomes are used in inflammatory processes on the skin.

A drink is made from the seeds of a nymph reminiscent of coffee. With insomnia and neurosis, doctors use it as a sedative.

And with rheumatism and neuralgia water lily used as an analgesic, with fever as a mild antipyretic.

However, the use of the plant for medicinal purposes should be careful, especially when taking decoctions and infusions, as it significantly lowers blood pressure.

It is necessary to consult with a competent doctor and get permission from him to self-medicate with this plant.

beautiful pond decoration

There is a beautiful legend about green tea and white water lily. If at dawn you place in a blooming flower green tea, and collect it at the end of the day, then after drinking it, a person will gain the necessary vitality.

If a water lily has settled in your pond, then interesting solution there will be an appearance and fish in it. Fish not only decorate the pond, but also serve as good helpers flowers.

The most sought after fish will be Koi and comets. They are extraordinarily beautiful. Comets are more mobile and live in upper layers The reservoir, moreover, is not disturbed by flowers. And carps are more fussy, rushing about in plants and making a mess.

If the reservoir is large (2-3 meters deep), then the carps will fit into the picture better. If the reservoir is small (up to 70 centimeters), then opt for a comet.

Even in ancient Egypt and Greece, a white water lily was not inferior in popularity to another the most beautiful flower- lotus.

The name "White water lily" comes from the Latin word "Nymphea", and the Latin name comes from Greek word"Nymph". According to ancient Greek legends, the water lily was once a white nymph, who later died from Hercules. Due to the indifference of Hercules, the nymph turned into a beautiful flower.

Then the water lily was called the "child of the sun", due to its disclosure in the early hours. The water lily flower closed after sunset.

general description

The white water lily belongs to the water lily family. This family includes more than 50 plant species. The water lily is a water and a height of 1.5 to two meters.

White water lily flowers are found in the waters of Europe, in Russia, in Eastern and Western Siberia, Transcaucasia and It is worth noting that this plant is not only wild, but also grown as an ornamental in garden lakes, ponds and other water bodies.

Numerous floating water lily leaves have round shape. The diameter of the leaves is from 15 to 25 centimeters. The color of the leaves may vary, depending on the age of the plant. In the young stage, the leaves are colored red, and the older leaves acquire an interesting color: dark green on top, and red-violet below. The center of gravity of the leaves is considered to be the place of attachment to the leaves of the petiole. The flowers of the white water lily are large, solitary. The cup of the flower consists of 3-4 petals, but sometimes there are 5 petals. Water lily flowers have a delicate and faint aroma.

Water lily white: habitat.

Grows it beautiful plant in stagnant and slowly flowing waters of rivers, lakes, ponds. With a reduced water level in reservoirs, the flower will continue to bear fruit and bloom.

Unusual properties of the white water lily.

The roots of the white water lily are rich in starch, protein, sugar, tannins, resinous and bitter substances, and essential oils and an alkaloid substance that has a psychoactive effect, that is, it affects nervous system person. The rhizome itself has and is covered with the remains of leaves and petioles. It is in the rhizome that the vital system of the flower is located, which is the airways. These channels are available for viewing even to people with low vision, since the system is necessary for the plant not only to provide respiratory functions, but also to keep the water lily on the surface of the water.

The seeds of the plant contain starch, essential oils and fatty acids. Essential oils can be found in flowers and stems, and a glycoside substance, which has hypnotic and analgesic properties.

In addition, many use the flowers and other parts of the water lily to make magical concoctions such as love potions.

But remember that you should not pluck the water lily yourself, according to legend, water spirits can ruin the life of the person who plucked it. Also, not plants, in addition to your own troubles, the troubles of the person from whom you bought the water lily can pass to you.

Collection of white water lilies.

The time of collection of the water lily must be chosen in accordance with the part of the plant that you need.

The rhizomes are harvested from July to September. They are mined from the bottom with the help of special mounds. After harvesting, the roots are cleaned, washed and left in a ventilated area.

Flowers are harvested during the flowering period, namely from early June to August. If you need leaves, then collect them from 7 am to 4 pm, if buds, then at 6.30 am before the flower begins to bloom.

Leaves are harvested from early March to October.

Water lily fruits and seeds must be collected during the flowering period of the plant. Keep in mind that each flower blooms for about four days. Collect seeds from the surface of the water, where they float in small "capsules". And the fruits are under water. After collecting seeds and fruits, they must be dried.

Remember that the white water lily is listed in the Red Book, so collect the flower in limited quantities. Today there is a lot of different literature where there are interesting information about a white water lily flower. A report on this flower can be completed without much difficulty by purchasing the necessary literature.