Blue Water Lily

thanks Dilek! S Frazier, I believe you are right on this flower being a blue water lily. Thank you very much!

Hello. This raises a confusing distinction, but I believe this is a "water lily" and not a "lotus". It cannot be both, but they do resemble one another! Water lilies occur around the world comprising some 70 species. They belong to the plant family Nympheaceae. On the the other hand there are only 2 lotus species Nelumbo lutea and Nelumbo nucifera (Family Nelumbonaceae). There are differences in flower structure beween water lilies and lotus (and lotus form seed pods that look like shower heads). But from a distance, the leaves can be used to differentiate them. The reason I would call it a water lily is because I don't see these leaves rising above the water. They look to be on or in the water. (It is also possible that lotus leaves are on the surface until they grow above it). But mainly lotus leaves are not shiny and they repel water (form beads). Lily leaves also have a split/notch running to the edge of the leaf and lotus leaves are fully circular. Your lily spotting "resembles" a blue water lily. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymphaeacea...

Very beautiful

thanks!

Pretty!!!!

thanks thats very helpful!

Because both the flower and leaf seem to be above water, I would say a Lotus Lily.