The answer to that question often depends on who you ask.
- Nymphaea, a tiny water lily with flowers measuring only ⅓”. Myth has it that a young girl saw the lunar reflection in the water. Wishing to reach it and become a star, she drowned. The Moon Goddess transformed her into a “star” in the water, the water lily.
- The Middlemist Red Flower Originated in China, but now only two specimens remain. One lives in New Zealand, and One in London (thanks to a botanist who brought it to London in the early 1800s). They have 5” double-petaled blossoms, a deep pink to red color, and a strong fragrance.
- Black Bat Flower: This species of Lily has a stunning 12” blossom. Its stamens can be twice that size! The Black Bat resides in Southeast Asia. This is not a good choice for an indoor lily. Believe it or not, Black Bat is a member of the Yam family!