South Africa is home to two indigenous species of Water Lilies from the genus Nymphaea, named for the beautiful nymphs of Greek mythology. They are long-lived plants, growing from spongy rhizomes anchored in the mud by spreading roots, occurring in standing or slow-flowing water up to 90cm deep in swamps, ponds, marshes, small streams and rivers. Their flat leaves may be up to 40cm wide where they float on the pond surface. The flowers are borne throughout the warm spring and summer months, may measure up to 20cm across, are very fragrant and extremely popular with bees and other pollinators. Unfortunately an individual flower rarely lasts longer than 4 days.
The White Water Lily, also known as the Egyptian Water Lily or Egyptian Lotus, is found in the north-eastern provinces of South Africa, besides its wide occurrence throughout our neighbouring countries and into tropical Africa. The Blue, or Cape, Water Lily is distributed over a much larger part of our country and most of sub-Saharan Africa and along the Nile. The beautiful flowers of both species were highly regarded even during the reign of Egypt’s pharaohs, being cultivated for use as decorations and in ceremonies. Today they still feature in gardens the world over.
BLUE WATER LILY
Nymphaea nouchali
WHITE WATER LILY
Nymphaea lotus
DeWetsWild 
Dit is die een blommetjie wat ek nou al in oorvloed hier in die Oos-Kaap raak geloop het … en ek slaan altyd my hande saam as ek hulle sien. Dankie vir die pragtige foto’s.
Hulle tower darem enige poel water so pragtig op, ne!?
Lovely – I particularly enjoy the blue ones, such a fabulous colour.
I’ve not yet seen a pond in our wild lands that were not brightened beyond measure when these beauties grow there.
Water lilies in their natural setting are truly beautiful. There used to be some growing in one of the rivers near here until it dried up during the drought. Thankfully, the river is flowing once more and I am wondering if the lilies will re-appear once the water subsides a little.
I will hold thumbs with you that they’ll return to your river, Anne! They’re beautiful in their own right but also create habitat for so many other kinds of life!
Waterlelies het beslis ook ‘n skoonheid van hul eie. Ek’t eerste keer ‘n regte Lotus lelie gesien hier in NZ toe ek 2006 hier gekuier het. Dis nie verniet dat die waterlelies in fabels gebruik word nie.
Duidelik waarom mense al vir so lank deur hierdie blomme betower word, Voorspoed vir 2024, Ineke.
Ek dink ook so. Mooi nuwe jaar vir jou en jou gesin ook.
Dankie, Ineke!
Gorgeous. I especially like the shot at the end of the first set with the two birds.
These flowers really do glamourise any pond!