White waterlily blooms in Burabay National Park
A white waterlily (Nymphaea alba) has blossomed in the Burabay National Park, Kazinform News Agency, cites the park's press service.
During a field study to document the park's flora, junior research botanist Julia Bossert identified a blooming white waterlily. This rare plant is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan and plays a significant role in the park's ecosystem.
“The white waterlily plays an important role in maintaining water quality and providing habitat for a diverse range of aquatic organisms. The flowers exhibit a range of sizes, from 10 to 15 cm, with petals of a snow-white hue arranged in multiple rows. The outer petals are notably large and gradually decrease in size towards the center. The lily typically blooms from June to September, and its faint fragrance can only be perceived at close range. The distinctive dirt-repelling properties of this plant enable it to consistently maintain a white and fresh appearance,” Julia Bossert said.
The white waterlily flower opens in the early morning and closes in the evening, retracting underwater before sunset. The adult plant's stems can reach two meters in length, with large dark green leaves attached to the stems, displaying reddish or light purple undersides.
"The plant is protected by law and requires our protection," Julia Bossert stated.
