4-6-2023 UBUD, BALI - HAIRY WATER LILY (Nymphaea pubescens)

The hairy water lily (\(Nymphaea\) \(pubescens\)) is an aquatic plant native to Africa and Asia with large, round, and slightly hairy leaves that have wavy edges. Its showy flowers, which range from white to pink, mauve, or purple, are about 15 cm wide, often close during the day, and open at night. It thrives in shallow, still water and is used for ornamental purposes, traditional medicine, and its ecological benefits, such as providing shade and shelter for aquatic life. 

Appearance Leaves: Large, round leaves (15-26 cm wide, sometimes up to 50 cm) with wavy, toothed edges that float on the water. The underside of the leaves is densely covered in tiny hairs. Some leaves can also rise slightly above the water's surface.Flowers: Large, fragrant flowers that can be up to 15 cm in diameter when fully open.

Color: Flower colors vary, ranging from white to pink, mauve, or purple depending on the variety.Stems: The plant has thick underground stems called rhizomes that anchor it to the mud, and slender stolons that help it spread. 

23-11-2016 INLE LAKE, MYANMAR - HAIRY WATER LILY (Nymphaea pubescens)

Nymphaea pubescens, the hairy water lily or pink water-lily, is a species of water lily.

White and pink Nymphaea pubescens blooming in a pond.

This plant is common in shallow lakes and ponds throughout temperate and tropical Asia: Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Yunnan, Taiwan, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.[citation needed] It is the national flower of Bangladesh.

It is also found in northeastern Australia and Papua New Guinea.

The hairy water lily is found both as a cultivated plant as well as in the wild. 

The hairy water lily is also commercialized as an aquarium plant. The underwater leaves of this species have a handsome appearance that is appreciated by aquarists who often remove the floating leaves to keep it as a fully subaquatic plant.

The flowers are quite large, about 15 cm in diameter when fully open. They tend to close during the daytime and open wide at night. Their color varies from white to pink, mauve or purple depending from the variety or hybrid.