species of the week #15 (KW 18-2020) – dwarf white water lily
The dwarf white water lily, is a native species that only forms single white flowers. The plant grows to between 0.5 and 1.6 m in size with its floating leaves. The flower is 7-9 cm in size and thus considerably smaller than the cultivated water lily varieties on many garden ponds.
| Distribution status | Extinct in Rhineland-Palatinate |
| Remaining deposits | Along the German-Czech border and Lower Saxony |
| Last sighting in Rhineland-Palatinate | Unknown |
| Habitat | Standing, nutrient-poor, shallow waters |
| Threat of | climate change, nutrient input |
The shiny water lily originally occurred throughout Europe and Siberia, but is now only found in a few places and is highly endangered throughout Germany. The Shining Water Lily is dependent on shallow, acidic, cool waters and is therefore mainly found where other water lilies find it too fresh. Climate change is therefore a particular problem for it.
Because the flower has an attractive shine and can be propagated by division as well as forming a large number of seeds, it is a popular plant among water lily growers for cultivating new water lily species.
Politically necessary:
– Climate protection
– Stopping the eutrophication of water bodies through nitrogen inputs (both directly and indirectly from the air)
An overview of all species of the week can be found here.