Nymphaea are rhizomatous, submerged aquatic perennials with floating, rounded leaves and showy, sometimes fragrant, cup- or bowl-shaped flowers in a wide range of colours, held on or above the water and followed by submerged, berry-like fruits.
These water-lilies are in Kew Garden’s Victorian Waterlily House completed in 1852, which was specifically to showcase the giant Amazon waterlily (Victoria amazonica) – a natural wonder of the age.
The Nelumbonaceae (Lotus-lily) are from Sydney’s Botanic Garden (Australia) in the main and waterlily ponds close to the Palm Grove Centre.

Lotus flowers are considered sacred in China, Tibet and India and the lotus flower is symbolic in Hindu and Buddhist religions as lotus displays all the different stages of growth simultaneously – bud, flower and seed pod.

Denzil’s Nature Photo Challenge #21 | Water Plants


Mesmerising! I’m never sure when someone asks me what my favourite flower is, but water lilies are high on the list. These are superb.
Marvellous images, Jude! I’ve never managed to take particularly good shots of waterlilies, but you’ve really succeeded here! I love the Lotus lily
I think it was easier in the glasshouse as you can get closer to them. I was thrilled to see the lotus flowers.
Good point
Great photos, Jude. Julie and I both love water lilies, and we saw some nice examples at Pensthorpe this month.
Best wishes, Pete. x
Did you get any good photos?
I only took one longshot of a lot of water lilies, it was posted on my blog. First photo on this link.
Julie took lots of close ups which I will post when she sends me them from her phone. x
I’m entirely taken by the image of that frilly-edged lily. Our natives are blooming now; your marvelous photos are an encouragement to get out and see them.
Beautiful shots Jude – I especially love the purple ones!
the purple water lilies are really striking and pretty!
These are all lovely, Jude. I especially like the mauve-ish ones.
Beautiful photos of the waterlilies!
Oh, you have such a beautiful selection.
Jude, what a gorgeous collection of photos, especially the pink waterlilies.