Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis
A rare white water lily found only in Romania’s thermal springs
Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis is a water lily that grows only in the warm waters of the Peţa River in Romania. Its fragrant white or pink flowers open at night and rise above the water, making it unique among European water lilies. The plant is now protected but faces extinction.
- Found only in the thermal waters of the Peţa River, Romania
- Flowers open at night and are strongly fragrant
- Declared a national monument and nature reserve in 1932
- In imminent danger of extinction
- Grown for conservation at Kew and Bonn botanic gardens
What does Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis look like?
This aquatic perennial grows from rhizomes in warm, shallow water. Its leaves can be arrow-shaped, oval, or round, with toothed edges and a dark green upper surface. The flowers are large, 12–15 cm across, and stand 10–12 cm above the water. They open at night, are strongly fragrant, and range from white to pink. Each flower has four sepals, nearly twenty petals, and a dense cluster of yellow stamens. The fruit is fleshy and green to brown, packed with many small, ribbed seeds.
Where does Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis come from?
Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis is native only to the thermal springs of the Peţa River in Bihor County, Romania. The site’s water stays near 30°C year-round, allowing this lily to survive far north of its usual range. First described in 1821, it was once thought to be a relic from before the last ice age, preserved by the constant warmth. Some botanists now consider it the same as Nymphaea lotus, but others still treat it as a distinct variety due to its unique location and features.
When and how Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis blooms
The plant blooms at night, with flowers rising above the water’s surface. It grows from rhizomes rooted in the mud of warm, slow-moving streams and ponds. The Peţa River reserve, where it is found, has been managed to keep the water temperature stable and to control invasive species. Outside Romania, it is cultivated in botanic gardens such as Kew and Bonn for conservation.
How Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis is used
Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis is not widely used in gardens or for decoration, as it is extremely rare and protected. It is considered a national monument in Romania and is the focus of conservation efforts. The plant is mainly valued for its scientific and cultural importance as a unique survivor in Europe’s flora.
Kinds of Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis
There is ongoing debate about whether this plant is truly distinct from the widespread Nymphaea lotus. Some claim differences in leaf texture and flowering time, but DNA studies suggest little separation. The main variation is its adaptation to the warm spring habitat in Romania, unlike other Nymphaea lotus populations.
What Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis means
The Romanian government declared the Peţa River and this water lily a nature reserve and national monument in 1932. The plant is not found in Romanian botanical gardens but is grown for preservation abroad. Its survival is threatened, and it is considered in imminent danger of extinction. The site is protected by law and managed for conservation.
Where Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis is used and seen
Questions people ask about Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis
Where does Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis come from?
It is native only to the thermal springs of the Peţa River in Bihor County, Romania, where the water remains warm year-round.
What does the flower look like?
The flower is large, 12–15 cm wide, white to pink, and stands above the water. It opens at night and has a strong fragrance.
Why is this water lily important?
It is unique to Romania and has survived in a warm spring habitat, making it a national monument and the focus of conservation efforts.
Is Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis different from other water lilies?
Some experts consider it a distinct variety due to its habitat and features, but DNA studies show little difference from Nymphaea lotus.
Is the plant endangered?
Yes, it is in imminent danger of extinction and is protected by Romanian law and international conservation programs.
Good reading and sources
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nymphaea lotus var. thermalis", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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