Monsters live in the water. At least that is what our imaginations have led us to believe. As of late, it might be hard to put a toe into any pool of liquid because of the recent spate of shark attacks and, of course, the gator that gleefully followed a cat into a nice lady’s kitchen. These events would have us believing that perhaps a move to dryer territory, such as Arizona, might be in our best interest. But I am here to tell you that those creatures are necessary for the survival of whatever body of water they call home, even though we as mere mortals may find them scary. They make the world go round—and just remember they were here way before we inhabited this earth.  Although what lies beneath the surface may give us the shivers, what floats on top of certain bodies of water is intoxicating.

According to an Egyptian botany website, the water lily has held mystique in Egypt for many years; showing up in tombs and temples to symbolize the union of Upper and Lower Egypt through the pairing of the water lily and the papyrus flower. The blue water lily is depicted in The Waters of Chaos from Ancient Society—“In the beginning were the waters of chaos.  Darkness covered the water until the Primeval Water Lily rose from the abyss. Slowly, the blue water lily opened its petals to reveal a young god sitting in its golden heart. A sweet perfume drifted across the waters and light streamed from the body of this Divine Child to banish universal darkness. This child was the Creator, the Sun God, the source of all life.

Another site claimed that the flower is also linked with the rising and setting sun because the blue petals represent the sky and the vibrant yellow center, the sun.  The flower opens in the morning to greet the day and closes at night, signifying the setting of the sun.  According to several horticulture websites, there are close to 70 ­species of water lilies ranging from flowers that bloom at night, to huge giant lilies to tropical lilies that can be found in most tropical climates and bloom all the time.

As with anything in nature, there are uses for this floating beauty.  The American Indians used water lilies to make flour, drying out the roots and pounding them into the fine powder. The leaves and flower buds were eaten as veggies and the seeds were the fruit. They also mashed up the green roots and used them for digestive problems, as a rinse for mouth sores and both the leaves and flowers were used as cool compresses.

Water lilies can be found decorating backyard ponds and many websites are available with “how-to” information on caring for them.  This plant species is hearty and grows continually with exposure to lots of sunshine, making a beautiful addition to your backyard habitat and providing cover and resting places for species of both insects and amphibians. I have had the special privilege of seeing water lilies in their native habitats, both in Florida at the botanical gardens and on the Caribbean Islands. If you have the opportunity, take a step or two closer to the water’s edge and see if a lily is looking back at you; you will not be disappointed.

Karey Burek Photos Water lily at the botanical gardens.

The water lily blooms during the light of day, but closes during the evening.

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