The aquatic environment is full of vegetation: numerous algae, coastal grasses and shrubs adorn almost any pond. However, only a few of them can boast that they give life to beautiful inflorescences. That is why the small egg capsule is considered such an amazing and unique plant.
general information
Small eggplant (lat. Nuphar pulila) - a perennial freshwater plant. It belongs to the water lily family and represents a separate species. It lives both in rivers with a small current and in stagnant water. According to scientists, this is one of the oldest plants on the planet - its first representatives settled in the water expanses 30 million years ago.
The small capsule begins to germinate from the rhizome attached to the bottom. A thin trunk stretches from it to the surface. Its length depends on the depth of the reservoir, in some cases it can reach 150-170 cm. The cuttings develop only in the warm season, and with the first frosts only the rhizome remains alive.
It is noteworthy that the small eggplant plant has both underwater and surface leaves. The first actively develop in the spring, at the time of germination of the cuttings to the surface. It is they who are engaged in photosynthesis, until the first sprouts appear above the water.
From above, the plant is represented by large, heart-shaped leaves that lie on thin water plates on the surface of the water. Their length varies between 15-20 cm, and sometimes even more. On average, one small capsule releases about 10 stems to the surface, and some of them bloom with beautiful yellow petals by the beginning of summer.
Amazing yellow flowers
Naturally, the main "treasure" of this plant is its flower. It is represented by a small yellow bud, consisting of 6 petals. The diameter of the flowers rarely exceeds 3 cm. And it is this feature that distinguishes this species from its nearest congener, the yellow capsule.
As it develops, the flower turns into a green onion-shaped fruit. Inside it, seeds ripen within two to three weeks. After that, the fruit is divided into several parts and falls into the water. Initially, they do not drown, as they contain air bubbles. Due to this, the wind or current carries seeds throughout the pond, thereby covering more and more new territories.
Distribution and habitat
The eggplant is a small, very common plant. It can be found in water bodies of Europe, Russia, Central Asia and North America. Prefers zones with a temperate climate and not too long winters. It does not tolerate salt water, and is also mortally afraid of any environmental pollution.
In particular, precisely because of environmental degradation, in some regions a small eggplant was taken under protection. The Red Book prohibits the extraction and destruction of these plants in the Khabarovsk Territory, the Sakhalin and Amur Regions, and in the Jewish Autonomous Region. The same rules apply to all reservoirs of the Republic of Belarus.
It should also be noted that today the small egg capsule is often grown artificially. This is due to the fact that its succulent leaves and bright flowers can become an ornament of any reservoir. Especially if it is harmoniously planted with other representatives of the water lily family.
