In nature, there is an unimaginable number of various plants: from microscopic algae to giant trees of the sequoia genus. Depending on the habitat, plants can be not only terrestrial (growing in soil, on stones, on other plants), but also aquatic. Flowering plants that bloom on the surface of the water are the most unusual and beautiful of them.
The yellow water lily, or, in other words, the egg capsule, belongs to the perennial herbaceous plants of the water lily family. Its name is associated with the outer shape of the flower, which resembles a low pitcher. A plant of this genus was first described in the early 19th century in England by botanist James Smith. The water lily is very visible on the water due to its bright yellow coloration. She easily tolerates penumbra conditions, has healing properties. Also, the yellow water lily has the ability to cleanse reservoirs – where it grows, the water does not “bloom”.
The structure and appearance of the yellow water lily
Since the yellow water lily lives in an aquatic environment, it needs a support that will not allow it to be demolished by an accidental current. Therefore, the plant has a powerful fleshy rhizome (up to 10 cm in length) with rather long roots that securely hold it in the ground.
The small and thin underwater leaves of the water lily are attached to the stem by short petioles. Leaves floating on water are round or oval, light green in color, and have a leathery surface. Their cuttings are triangular and long. In width, their leaf plate can reach 20 cm.
The water lily, like all flowering plants, is a pollinated plant. Its alcoholic aroma attracts many insects, and in some cases self-pollination also occurs. The pistil and stamens are located in the receptacle. The oblong anthers of the stamens are yellow. The calyx consists of 5-6 sepals, green on the outside and yellow on the inside. The capsule has single yellow flowers with many petals in the corolla. The diameter of the flowers is approximately 5 cm. The petals of the flower are inverted, heart-shaped.
In the oval-conical ovary of the flower, smooth fruits are formed, 4-5 mm in length. They are a box with a large number of seeds that develop in water until the end of summer and ripen at the very beginning of autumn.
Reproduction of yellow water lilies
The yellow pod is propagated by seeds and vegetatively. In spring, by streams of water, parts of its rhizome are torn off and carried away at a certain distance. Having established themselves in the soil, they grow roots that give life to a new plant.
Distribution and habitat of the yellow water lily
The yellow capsule is widespread exclusively in flat areas. In Russia, it can be found in the territories of the Caucasus, Siberia and in the European part of the country. It grows in fresh water bodies at depths of up to 1 meter. The water lily feels very good in lakes, ponds and other bodies of water with stagnant water or in rivers with weak currents, including backwaters.
The use and application of the yellow water lily
The yellow water lily has effective healing properties. However, you must be very careful when preparing any infusions on your own, since in raw form, all its constituent parts are poisonous. Poisoning in this case is usually accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, drowsiness and general malaise of the body.
For a long time, the water lily has been used as a medicinal plant. With the help of her flowers, rheumatism, gout, and insomnia were treated. Headache, burns and erysipelas were relieved with the use of compresses from the leaves of the yellow capsule. Infusions based on water lily rhizomes were used to treat cough, skin diseases, toothache and stomach pain. This plant is very effective in the fight against diseases of the genitourinary system (including Trichomonas colpitis), and also as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Nuflein contained in parts of the yellow water lily is used in the manufacture of contraceptive drugs.
All medicines based on it have a number of contraindications: childhood, pregnancy, lactation, intolerance to certain components. It is also not recommended to use them for people with low blood pressure.
The yellow capsule is very often specially planted in the reservoirs of garden plots for decorative purposes. In addition, unlike other species of the family, it is rather unpretentious in planting and care.
Conservation status of yellow water lily
The yellow water lily is not listed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). It is believed that the population of this plant at the global level is not threatened by anything. However, the water lily of this species is included in the Red Data Books of certain regions of Russia, for example, the Krasnodar Territory, and has the “vulnerable” status.
The thing is that the water lily recovers very slowly. With its intensive harvesting for medicinal and decorative purposes, it can disappear completely in a single area.
Water lily harvesting, land reclamation by drainage, as well as pollution of water bodies, associated mainly with human economic activities, are factors that threaten the existence of the species.
A number of measures aimed at preserving and increasing the number of this plant are extremely important. These include:
- an appeal to the population to abandon the collection of flowering water lilies for bouquets;
- control of the plant population in its habitats;
- protection of water lilies at the federal and regional levels, including in the territories of nature reserves, sanctuaries and national parks;
- the return of artificially grown plants to their natural habitat.
The yellow water lily is a beautiful and useful plant both for any natural ecosystem and for humans. In this regard, it is he who needs to be able to competently use the gifts presented by nature, not destroying them, but caring and multiplying any of them.
