This fine and decorative plant likes the still water of ponds and lakes. It is widespread through-out Britain, and I have seen it blooming on a lochan in the high hills of Sutherland. When young the leaves are folded and are red, but they soon uncurl and flatten on to the water-surface. The wax-like flowers are very exquisite. They first appear, enclosed in their four sepals, in June, and the flowering continues until August. |