Water lilies are also freshwater aquatic plants with beautiful white, purple, or pink flowers and circular leaves. It receives its nutrients from the water and receives enough sunlight because it floats on water.

Water lilies thrive in the water, and with its many adaptations, it takes advantage of the relatively less competition of the aquatic environment than the land.

The large flat leaves allow them maximum exposure to the sunlight which means more nutrition by photosynthesis. This shape is also important, as the plant is better able to share important gasses needed for its survival from the surface to the underwater part of its leaf.

The leaves are large and spread the weight of the leaf making it easier for the plant to float. These leaves also have little pores called stomatas placed on the top side of the leaf, which increases photosynthesis and exposure to air.

Water lilies also have weak yet flexible stems, but this too is an adaptation of this plant so that all its attention and resources goes to expanding its leaves, which is how it receives all its nutrients. The water provides the lilies enough and more support, so that they do not have to rely on their stems.

The stems are flexible so that they can easily move the plant about in floating water, without breaking.

The water lily leaf is almost water resistant; it is rather waxy which allows water to float right off it without letting the leaf rot from too much moisture.

The water lilies themselves only open during the daytime, allowing insects to pollinate the plant. During the night, the plant closes up and conserves energy.