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July 31, 2010

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Rare water lilies bloom in Sports Park

WITH the advent of summer, Minhang Sports Park is featuring a summer lotus display that also presents more than 50 different species of water plants.

Visitors can follow the boardwalk around the park's central lake to enjoy the lotus in bloom and also see rare varieties of water lilies such as Victoria cruziana and tropical water lilies as well as more common species such as calamus, reeds and water oats. The show will last for two or three months.

As the biggest urban green area in southwest Shanghai, Minhang Sports Park has a central lake of over 75,000 square meters, and one highlight of the park is the wetland ecological garden by the side of the lake.

The garden occupies 6,040 square meters in total, with a wooden boardwalk of 400 meters and two pavilions where visitors can sit and enjoy the greenery.

Along the boardwalk there are nearly 50 species of water plants representing most of the common species around Shanghai. Water plants have also been introduced to the creeks inside the park and the pool near the No.2 gate.

Victoria cruziana is one of the most striking plants in the display. This kind of water lily has a huge leaf that can be up to three meters in diameter, floating on the water like a plate. If all the leaves of one Victoria cruziana stretch fully, it can cover an area of 6-10 square meters. And one leaf can hold up to 70 kilograms -- equal to the weight of three children.

Together with its changing flower colors and strong fragrance, the species is well known around the world. Since it grows best in hot climates, August is the best time for visitors to appreciate the lilies in Minhang Sports Park.

Besides the Victoria cruziana, there are 17 varieties of lotus of different colors and shapes to be found in the park.

Visitors can appreciate the colors of the water lily blooms, which vary from purple to the palest peachy pink.

On hot days, the cooling greenery and waters will calm the warmest temperament, bringing solace and happiness to visitors at Minhang Sports Park.


 

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