Nymphaea odorata, American white water-lily, is a common floating aquatic plant found across North America in slightly acidic to basic lakes and slow-moving streams. The leaves are bright green on the top and a beautiful purple underneath. Pictured here is a new leaf turned upside down by the rapid rise in water level after a tremendous downpour.
The flowers are white to light pink, and fragrant
Because of their size and the surface area they cover, they provide habitat and safe harbor for small insects, their larvae, fishes, and even a water snake!
A dragonfly sunbathes atop a lily pad 
An exuviae of a dragonfly stuck to an aquatic plant. Dragonfly larvaes use the cover of lillies for safety. 
A common water snake rests on a bed of lilies before it sheds its skin (look at its eyes, they are hazy white)
What's growing in the Garden State 
Hello matee great blog post
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