Some type of water lily?

Cherry blossoms!

Baby birds of some kind; white cranes perhaps?

I second the cherry blossoms.

juju is rather precise of what forums he/she posts in ...

so wouldnt it be an annual of some kind???

and water lily ... is not an annual ... and they call it something else .... a more exotic name .... ahhhh .. lotus ...

got me stumped.. if they used the right forum

ken

It doesn't look like an annual, nor is it any of the above suggestions. I'll take a punt on a Sagittaria, maybe S japonica, although I'm not seeing the right leaves.
{{gwi:23812}}

Posted by florauk 8/9 (My Page) on Mon, Sep 23, 13 at 5:43

The Americans know a relative the duck-lettuce Ottelia alismoides: here.

Quote: Ottelia alismoides was first found in Florida in 2003. The duck-lettuce was growing in Thompsons Bayou, a small, slow-flowing tributary of the Escambia River. The infestation contained several plants along the shoreline adjacent to the University of West Florida campus and appeared to be intentionally planted. A systematic survey conducted later in the year found less than one patchy acre of duck-lettuce in the tributary. Biologists removed as many specimens as possible, but complete eradication may be impossible. The tributary is home to a diversity of native plant species, including Echinodorus cordifolia, Orontium aquaticum, and Potamogeton pulcher, and widespread eradication of Ottelia alismoides may cause more harm to the preserve. Due to the increased salinity of the river a few miles downstream, Ottelia will have a hard time spreading. The USDA and DEP are continuing to monitor the growth of duck-lettuce to determine whether or not it will become an invasive species in Florida.

The plants in the picture, however, are of an endangered species - Ottelia acuminata (Gagnepain) Dandy, J. Bot. 72: 137. 1934, link here

This species is intolerant of slight water pollution, climate and environmental changes. They vanished for a couple years. Eventually a small population was located in a high altitude small pond. The plant is a symbol of pristine water quality.

This post was edited by jujujojo on Mon, Sep 23, 13 at 11:45

Here is a spring without O acuminata in the Black Dragon Lake.

{{gwi:23813}}

They are actually very fragile. One bottle of detergent will destroy them within a week, while other plants love the fertilizer :)

The US might try the chemical method to control ducklettuce O alismoides if there is a real need. In general, these are not the fast spreading kind and they need warm, soft, shallow and crystal clear water.

do i win the CLOSE ENOUGH award with water lily/lotus... for those in the audience that are not hardcore botanists????

lol

have a great day

ken

Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Sep 24, 13 at 7:40

They are not related :)