A bicolored water lily is seen at Anji Longshan Park, Huzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Several bicolored water lilies have recently unfurled their petals at Anji Longshan Park, showcasing a mesmerizing blend of red and yellow hues against the lush, dark green lotus leaves.

The park initially planted water lilies in 2021, covering a sprawling area of approximately 2,000 square meters. During a routine inspection, a maintenance staff member at the park stumbled upon a bicolored lily, its striking red and yellow making it stand out.

While red and yellow tones typically manifest to various degrees on each bloom, the precise division of half yellow and half red on this specimen is an extraordinarily rare occurrence, reportedly occurring on just one in 10,000 lilies.

The blooming cycle of these water lilies, commonly known as Venus, begins each day after sunrise, delicately closing into a bud by afternoon, with the lifespan of each flower a mere three - five days. According to park authorities, the prime blooming season for water lilies is from June to August, providing visitors with a window to witness these fleeting marvels of nature.