How to distinguish between a lotus flower and a lily while looking at a pond full of them?

identification with respect to size and shape of petals, whether leaves float or present above the level of water etc?

How to distinguish between a lotus flower and a lily while looking at a pond full of them?
The white water lily has leaves that arise on flexible stalks from large, thick rhizomes. The leaves are more round than heart-shaped, bright green, 6 to 12 inches in diameter with the slit about 1/3 the length of the leaf and usually float on the water's surface. Flowers arise on separate stalks, have brilliant white petals (25 or more per flower) with yellow centers. The flowers may float on the surface or stick above the water and each opens in the morning and closes in the afternoon. If it sticks up above the water's surface, though, the stalk is generally only a few inches long - never more than a foot. See http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10...



A white lotus flower, on the other hand, grows more than three feet tall above the water - some varieties as tall as seven feet. The leaves, as wide as 20" in diameter, both float on the surface of the water and are also held on tall stalks out of the water, and have a "ruffled" look to the edge, with no split as is characteristic of a water lily. The flower can be as wide as 18" in diameter, held on a thick stalk out of the water, and as the flower ages, the lower petals hang down. The center of the flower is generally yellow, having the appearance of a cone, with the flat side up. There appears to be "bumps" that later turn into holes in the flat surface, which is where the seeds eventually form. The dried seed pods are very popular in floral arrangements. See http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10...



It has been my experience, however, that many people use the term "lily" and "lotus" interchangeably, especially when referring to white flowering varieties, and more commonly in Europe than in the US. I hope this helps.

art