Yellow Water Lily Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella' (H)
ABOUT
The water lily known as 'Marliacea Chromatella' is a captivating aquatic plant that features striking flowers and lush foliage. The blooms are a warm, creamy yellow that often transition to a deeper, golden hue at the center, creating a gentle gradient of color. As a day-blooming variety, the flowers are typically held just above the water's surface, greeting the sun each morning before closing in the afternoon. Each flower is composed of multiple layers of petals, arranged in a classic water lily shape, reminiscent of a starburst. The petals are soft and delicate to the touch, with a slightly rounded shape that offers a graceful appearance. At the heart of the flower, the stamens are golden-yellow, complementing the petals and adding to the visual allure of the bloom. The leaves of 'Marliacea Chromatella' are as impressive as the flowers, with a rich, deep green color that provides a striking contrast to the bright flowers. They are nearly circular, with a notched radial slit, and have a glossy surface that repels water effectively. The edges of the leaves are gently scalloped, which adds texture and interest to the overall look of the plant. Floating placidly on the water's surface, the leaves form a picturesque backdrop for the enchanting flowers, creating a serene and lush aquatic environment.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Nymphaeaceae
Synonyms
Chromatella Water Lily, Marliacea Chromatella Lily, Yellow Water Lily, Marliac Yellow Waterlily
Common names
Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella' is Water Lily. Water lilies are not known to be toxic to humans. Therefore, ingesting parts of this plant typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse symptoms.
To pets
Water Lily is the common name for Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella'. These plants are generally considered non-toxic to pets. Ingesting the plant should not cause poisoning or serious health issues in animals. However, it's always a good practice to discourage pets from eating plant material to avoid any potential issues such as gastrointestinal upset.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
0-1 feet (0-0.3 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
General Benefits- Water garden aesthetics: Enhances the visual appeal of water gardens and ponds with its vibrant yellow blooms.
- Habitat for wildlife: Provides a habitat and breeding ground for pond life such as frogs, fish, and beneficial insects.
- Surface coverage: Reduces algae growth by shading the water and limiting sunlight penetration.
- Water cooling: Helps moderate water temperature by covering the water surface and providing shade.
- Soil erosion control: Roots can stabilize pond banks and prevent soil erosion.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Subjects: Hardy water lilies, like Nymphaea 'Marliacea Chromatella', offer stunning visual appeal, making for a popular subject in photography, particularly in garden and nature-themed shoots.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may draw inspiration from the beauty of the ‘Marliacea Chromatella’, using its vibrant colors and unique form as a muse for paintings, drawings, and other art forms.
- Fish Habitat: In ponds, these plants provide essential shelter and breeding grounds for various fish species, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem.
- Educational Tool: Botanical gardens and educational institutions may use ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ to teach students about aquatic plant species, pollination, and pond ecosystems.
- Wedding Decor: The flowers and pads of ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ are sometimes integrated into water features at wedding venues for added natural beauty and elegance.
- Nature Crafting: Dried petals and leaves of the water lily can be used in crafting, such as in the making of natural potpourri or pressed flower decorations.
- Water Feature Design: Landscape architects often use hardy water lilies like ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ to enhance the aesthetics of water features in garden designs.
- Sound Dampening: The broad leaves of ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ help to dampen noise by disrupting the sound waves over the surface of the water, creating a more tranquil environment.
- Theme Gardens: This particular water lily can be used as a centerpiece in thematic gardens, such as Monet-inspired garden designs, due to its impressionistic association.
- Cultural Symbolism: The ‘Marliacea Chromatella’ may be used in cultural ceremonies or festivals that have water elements, symbolizing purity, peace, or rebirth.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Water Lily is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Water Lily is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The water lily commonly symbolizes purity due to its ability to emerge from murky waters with pristine and uncontaminated blossoms.
- Enlightenment: In several cultures, the water lily is associated with enlightenment because it is often related to spiritual awakening, as it opens its petals to the morning sun.
- Rebirth: The water lily's cycle of flowering and retreating back into the water mirrors the idea of rebirth and regeneration.
- Beauty: With its stunning appearance, the water lily often represents beauty and grace.
- Peace: The calming presence of water lilies on the surface of ponds and lakes symbolizes peace and tranquility.
WaterThe Hardy Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' should be planted in aquatic conditions, meaning regular watering is not required as it thrives fully submerged in water. Ensure it is planted in a pond or a water feature with at least 12-18 inches of water above the soil level to keep its roots wet. In terms of replenishing the water, check the pond weekly and top it up as needed, which could range from a few gallons in cooler temperatures to potentially more during hot summer weeks due to evaporation.
LightHardy Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' prefers full sunlight, so the best spot for planting is in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. However, it can tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter regions. Avoid deep shade, as this will hinder its ability to flower.
TemperatureHardy Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' can survive in a range of temperatures but prefers waters that are above 70°F for optimal growth and flowering. While it can tolerate temperatures as low as the freezing point temporarily, long exposure to temperatures below 32°F can damage the plant. The ideal temperature range for this water lily is between 70°F and 85°F.
PruningPrune the Hardy Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' to maintain its health and appearance by regularly removing yellowed or dead leaves and spent flowers. The best time to prune is during the growing season. Pruning promotes new growth and can prevent decay from affecting the water quality. It may be necessary to prune every couple of weeks during the growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for the Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' consists of heavy loam. It should be planted in non-floating clay-based soil to anchor the plant effectively in water. The soil pH should be around neutral (pH 6.5-7.5).
RepottingWater Lilies, including 'Marliacea Chromatella', should be repotted every 1-2 years to replenish soil nutrients and to manage their size within the pond or container.
Humidity & MistingWater Lilies 'Marliacea Chromatella' thrive in high humidity levels, being aquatic plants, their best humidity conditions are provided naturally when grown in ponds or water gardens.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in large water containers with ample sunlight.
Outdoor
Plant in ponds in loamy soil and full sun.
Hardiness zone
4-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Hardy Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in spring or summer, often in still or slow-moving freshwater. The sprout anchors itself in the muddy substrate with its roots, and a shoot grows upwards towards the water surface, developing leaves known as 'lily pads' that float on the surface. These round leaves serve to photosynthesize and provide the plant with energy to grow, also offering a habitat for aquatic organisms. As the plant matures, it produces distinctive flowers that rise above the water surface, usually during late spring or early summer, which are pollinated by insects. After pollination, the flowers develop into seeds which sink to the bottom of the body of water when mature, starting the cycle anew. Winter dormancy is a part of the yearly cycle, where the plant retreats to the rhizomes below the mud and remains inactive until the conditions are favorable again in the spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Water Lily 'Marliacea Chromatella' is commonly propagated through division, which is best performed in late winter or early spring just before the growing season begins. To propagate by division, you would carefully remove the water lily from the pond, ensuring that you keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Once removed, you can see where the rhizome has natural divisions or eyes, similar to those on a potato. Using a sharp knife, you would cut the rhizome into sections, making sure each section has at least one eye. After the division, the new sections can then be planted in pots with aquatic soil, topped with gravel to prevent the soil from escaping, and submerged back into the pond at a depth that allows the leaves to float on the surface of the water until the plant establishes itself.
