''Nymphaea capensis'' (Cape blue waterlily) is an aquatic flowering plant of the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. Native to Africa, the plant is found growing abundantly in freshwater habitats in tropical regions of

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

, and as an introduced species in Australia, the state of

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

, and other tropical areas. This plant's bulb can survive relatively long periods of time without rainfall in a dry river bed. During the rain season, as the riverbed or bog fills up, the bulb will sprout leaves and flowers. The Cape blue waterlily grows best in full sun to semi-sun and in relatively shallow water.

Gallery

Nymphaea capensis (12) 1200.jpg, Topview of ''Nymphaea capensis'' Nymphaea capensis (10) 1200.jpg, Bud of ''Nymphaea capensis''

References

capensis {{angiosperm-stub