Common Name: Red Water Lily
Scientific Name: Nymphaea rubra
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Nepali Name: Rakta Kamal ( रक्त कमल )
Size: 30-60 cm (height)
Location: Jagdishpur Reservoir, Kapilvastu, Nepal

The Red Water Lily is a beautiful aquatic plant that grows in the calm freshwater wetlands of Nepal’s lowlands. It is commonly found in ponds, oxbow lakes, marshes, and slow-flowing waterways throughout the Terai and Inner Terai regions.

This species is easily recognized by its striking pink to deep red flowers, which float on or slightly above the water surface. The blooms begin as cup-shaped buds and gradually open into elegant star-shaped flowers with numerous yellow stamens at their center. Their bright coloration stands out vividly against the surrounding water and foliage.

Its floating leaves are broad, circular, and leathery, with a waxy coating that helps shed water. The upper surface is usually green, while the underside may show reddish or purplish tones. These leaves often spread across the water to form dense mats, providing habitat and cover for a variety of aquatic organisms.

In Nepal, the Red Water Lily occurs mainly in warm freshwater habitats at elevations of about 60 to 800 meters, where it flourishes in still or gently moving waters.

Please feel free to comment below if the above species has been misidentified.

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