Sunday, July 5, 2009

SUMMER

Delicious!!! (Source)

Finally we reached the temperatures of above 30 °C degree. The sky is crystal-blue and you can stay the whole day in shorts and T-shirt!! Summer!!! It is (together with spring) one of my favourite seasons and I am looking forward to it every year! Although I have to stay in the shadow, because my skin gets really easily sunburned. What I associate with summer:
  • ice cubes
  • berries
  • mango lassi (Indian fruit drink)
  • skirts
  • ice cream
  • cocktails
  • outdoor partys
  • lemon
  • barbecues
  • going swimming

    What do you love about summer? Please enjoy the sun everyone^^.
    Love, Lilly :)

Holiday on a tropical island: one can dreeeam!! (Source).

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Mysterious water lilys

Cross section of a water lily stem.

Lilys (and especially water lilys) are among my most favourite flowers! I had to share this fascinating picture with you: the conducting tissue of water lilys consists of a complex system of tubes (picture above). Water lilys are specially accomodated to the life in water. The scientific term for these kind of aquatic plants is Nymphaea. The origin of this name is said to come from the Greek word for nymph: young fairy-like girls that lived in ponds (mythologically). I realize that there could even be a reference from water lily to my name^^. The great sea lily (Victoria amazonica) has been dedicated 1833 to Queen Victoria from Great Britain. The origin of V. amazonica is the tropical forest of South America. The pads are so strong that they can carry even persons upt to the weight of 80kg. Amazing!!!
Love, Lilly :)

The lily pads from the great water lily Victoria amazonica can carry up to 80 kg (illustrated by the two babys).(Source)

Lily pad upside down by Victoria cruziana. (Source)