The lily pads that float in ponds, small lakes, and slow streams are actually the leaves of water lily plants. Water lilies are popular with both wildlife and people. Frogs often sit on the leaves of water lilies. The French artist Claude Monet created many famous paintings of water lilies.

Where water lilies grow

Water lilies grow in freshwater in the tropical and temperate (mild) regions of the world. They live in still or slowly moving water that is rich in oxygen and nutrients. They like areas where they do not have to compete with other plants for sunlight.

Physical features

Water lilies grow up from the muddy bottom of a body of water. Thick underwater stalks support the floating leaves. The round, waxy leaves range in size from 3 inches (8 centimeters) to 6 feet (2 meters) across. Many water lilies growing together can completely cover the surface of a pond.

Each star- or cup-shaped flower grows on a single stem, either at or above the surface of the water. The flowers' many petals may be white, cream, pink, yellow, red, orange, purple, or blue. The flowers on night-blooming water lilies open at sunset and then close by noon the next day. The flowers bloom for a few days and then die. They leave behind a seedpod that drops seeds in the water.

Uses

Water lilies provide shade and hiding places for fish and other water animals. They provide food for wetland creatures, including ducks, geese, turtles, muskrats, and raccoons. The floating leaves offer a sunny place for frogs to sit while they hunt insects. Some people grow water lilies in their garden ponds. Florists use the dried seedpods of the lotus, a type of water lily, in flower arrangements.