Water lilies are herbaceous perennials and are one of the best known aquatic plants for their beauty.  The flower petals come in white and pink with yellow centers, sometimes the shade of pink varies.  Circular leaves float on top of the water usually covering large areas of the lake. Both flowers and leaves arise from a horizontal rhizome that is rooted in the lake bottom.  Flowers open in the morning and close in the early afternoon on successive days.  The stigma is receptive on the first day and the pollen is released on the second day or later. Bees and flies are the most common pollinators of water lilies.