Ending: the time of floating leaves
Photo: Arne Ader
Translation: Liis
Water lily
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Water lilies |
Vesiroos
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Nymphae |
There aren’t many plants with floating leaves in Estonia. Of course they grow in water – where else? – the white water lily, the smaller water lily and the yellow water lily. They often grow together in the same place, so it is worth looking at the leaves. Their life is soon at an end, but at the moment they are well worth noticing.
In contrast to the mainland plants the air cells of floating leaves are on the surface of the leaves, with a layer of wax to protect against ingress of water. In autumn this layer disappears and the leaves „drown“. The stalks of the leaves can become up to 3 metres long and they contain air canals. These not only help to keep the leaves floating but also help the rhizome of the plant at the bottom of the water body to breathe
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