Nymphaea capensis, Cape Waterlily, is an aquatic flowering plant of the water lily family Nymphaeaceae. Native to Africa, the plant is found growing abundantly in freshwater habitats in tropical regions of Africa, and as an introduced species in Australia, the state of Florida, and other tropical areas. This plant’s bulb can survive relatively long periods of time without rainfall in a dry river bed. During the rain season, as the riverbed or bog fills up, the bulb will sprout leaves and flowers. The Nymphaea capensis grows best in full sun to semi-sun and in relatively shallow water. This lovely aquatic plant with lovely deep-pink flowers is a clump forming perennial with thick, black, spongy, tuberous rhizomes anchored in the pond mud by spreading roots. One plant can spread over an area of about 1 m. The leaves show many interesting adaptations to their watery environment. The margins are slightly rolled inwards toward the uppermost side (involute) which helps keep the blades afloat. The underside of the leaf, which is continually wet, has a strong attraction to the water and this holds the leaf flat against the water. The veins act like a structural support for the leaves. The upper leaf surface is coated with a smooth waxy cuticle, which gives it the appearance of being leathery and shiny. This water-repellent waxy layer is of vital importance to the plant, not only to help prevent the leaf from sinking, but also to prevent the tiny stomatal pores, through which it breathes, from becoming clogged with dust. When water splashes onto the leaf surface, it forms rounded droplets that roll across the surface cleaning up the dust as they go. Clean dust free leaves are also better able to photosynthesise effectively. The large flowers are held well above the water at the tip of a sturdy green stalk and appear almost constantly from spring until the end of summer. The flowers open in early to mid-morning and close completely in late afternoon and stay closed all night. The flowers are sweetly fragrant and are visited constantly by bees who are the most likely pollinator.