10 Flowers, 10 Places
Countries and regions around the world where flowers play a vital role — in cultural and religious traditions, the economy, and daily life.
A closer look at lotuses in Sri Lanka, amaranths in Peru, roses in Oman, marigolds in India, waterlilies in Vietnam, saffron in Kashmir, jasmine in Egypt, orchids in Papua New Guinea, proteas in South Africa, and azaleas in Japan.
While the lotus holds the title of Vietnam’s national flower, it is the waterlily that captivates visitors in the Mekong Delta, drawing crowds each autumn for its spectacular harvest. From August to November, depending on the year’s monsoon conditions, farmers, predominantly women, venture into the murky waters at dawn to gather two common varieties: the day-blooming Nymphaea nouchali and the night-blooming Nymphaea rubra. These stunning plants, part of the Nymphaeaceae family, thrive in temperate and tropical regions across the globe and are considered some of the oldest flowering plants on Earth, with fossilized seeds dating back approximately 85 million years found in northern Japan.
In ancient Egypt, blue waterlilies were revered and often buried alongside pharaohs, including the famous King Tutankhamun (circa 1341-23 B.C.). These flowers were not only a staple in daily life for food and medicinal purposes but also symbolized immortality, believed to possess psychedelic qualities during sacred funeral rites.
Local performers in Vietnam’s Tan Lap commune are frequently seen celebrating this rich cultural heritage.
Although the waterlily is most abundant during the fall, Vietnamese farmers cultivate it year-round. The slender stalks, usually about an inch in diameter and reaching lengths of up to five feet, thrive in muddy, nonsaline waters, often coexisting with lotuses. Waterlilies come in a variety of vibrant hues, with petals that are pointier and more vivid in shades of pink, purple, and red than those of the lotus, which typically bloom above their glossy, shield-shaped leaves. Wild waterlilies are generally white. Each flower has a fleeting lifespan, blooming for just a few hours a day (or night) over three to five days before sinking beneath the surface to drop its seeds. In the early morning, under certain temperatures, a rare moment occurs when both the day and night bloomers open simultaneously, releasing a distinctive plummy, soapy fragrance that Marc Hachadourian, director of glasshouse horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden, likens to the scent of Juicy Fruit chewing gum. This magical moment is when farmers and local foragers harvest the lilies, pulling them up by their fibrous stems and loading them onto wooden sampans resembling canoes for transportation to nearby markets.
As the delta floods each fall, the waterlily harvest transforms into a picturesque event, attracting tourists eager to capture the enchanting spectacle of women paddling boats filled with vibrant blooms.
Over the years, this harvest ritual has evolved into a popular photo opportunity for visitors, becoming a staple of guided tours. Yet, the waterlily remains an integral part of Vietnamese daily life. The blossoms adorn homes across the country, often floating in clay pots at doorsteps, while the stems find their way into traditional dishes such as fish soups and stir-fries. According to Thao Phan, owner of an urban gardening business in Ho Chi Minh City, the waterlily’s significance extends beyond its culinary uses. “The waterlily doesn’t die,” Phan explains. “After it finishes blooming, you might think it’s dead, but it springs back to life. Once you plant it, you have it forever.”
The day-blooming Nymphaea nouchali emits a delightful plummy, soapy fragrance, enriching the cultural tapestry of Vietnam.
