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| First Cousins of Water-Lilies |
Other genera of Nymphaeaceae might be considered as first cousins of
the hardy and tropical water-lilies. Like cousins, these various showy
flowering plants bear the same family name and have a certain family
resemblance. Unlike cousins, they do not spring from a common ancestor, but are grouped under one family name merely because they
have developed along the same lines and have in common various structural characteristics and habits. (The family also has its plainer genera,
including the Fanworts or Water-Shields, Cabomba, which have not
yet developed into recognizable water-lily forms.)
All of the genera we now describe can correctly be called water-lilies
-and often are. Each group, however, has special characteristics, and
these differentiate it from the others.
Genus Victoria-Grandest of All
I include this magnificent plant with academic rather than practical
intent, since few nonprofessionals have time, space, or patience to cultivate it. Gardeners for estates and public parks, however, will find it
worthwhile for it is the most spectacular of all the aquatics. And if you
live near a park or garden in which a Victoria is growing you will find
the sight of it well worth the effort of a Saturday or Sunday excursion.
Certainly hundreds of people drive miles on late summer weekends to
see the Victorias we cultivate at Lilypons.
The foliage is striking, for the leaves often measure 6 feet or more
across with edges turning up to form a straight-sided rim. Leaves are
rich green above and appear to be quilted in a geometric pattern.
Underneath they are purplish-green and heavily marked with thick,
barbed veins radiating from the center. The compartments formed by
the network of veins are filled with a gas generated by the leaf cells.
It is this gas trapped in the leaf that makes it so buoyant.
The platter-shaped flower is also enormous, 10 or 12 inches in diameter, and with a very strong fragrance of crushed pineapple. It is night
blooming, and it usually opens for three consecutive evenings, creamy
white at first, passing to light pink, deeper pink, and finally to purplish-red.
The seed pod, which is as large as a grapefruit and covered with
sharp spines, contains a cluster of hard, shiny, black seeds.
Seeds to Pool
Although it is perennial, the Victoria has to be treated as an annual
and must be given more of practically everything-sun, space, heat,
time, patience, and care-than any other aquatic. Seeds are gathered
in fall and stored in bottles of water to keep them from drying out,
which would be death.
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