Nymphaeaceae Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Nymphaeaceae

Water Lily with Flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae Salisb. (1805)

The Nymphaeaceae family is a group of beautiful plants that grow in water. You probably know them as water lilies. These amazing plants are found all over the world. They are known for their large, colorful flowers that float on the surface of the water.

Scientists believe water lilies are one of the oldest types of flowering plants. By studying their genes, researchers have found that water lilies appeared very early in plant history. They are more diverse and widespread than many other ancient flowering plants. The Nymphaeaceae family belongs to the Nymphaeales order. This group is the second oldest branch of flowering plants, right after a plant called Amborella.

Water Lilies in Culture
- Lily Pads in Heraldry
- Water Lilies in Literature
Images for kids
See also

Water Lilies in Culture

Water lilies are important symbols in many cultures. The white water lily is the national flower of Bangladesh. It is also the state flower for Andhra Pradesh, India. The official seal of Bangladesh even shows a lily floating on water.

The blue waterlily is the national flower of Sri Lanka. It is also known as the birth flower for July.

Lily Pads in Heraldry

Lily pads, also called Seeblätter, are often used in symbols in Northern Europe. They are usually colored red. You can see them on the flag of Friesland. They also appear on the coat of arms of Denmark. Sometimes, red hearts replace them there.

Water Lilies in Literature

The water lily has a special meaning in ancient Tamil literature, called Sangam literature. It is a symbol of sadness when people are separated. It also brings to mind images of sunsets, the seashore, and sharks.