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| Species: | Nymphaea odorata, fragrant waterlily, white waterlily |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Fragrant
waterlily is perhaps the most familiar of all aquatic plants.
It commonly grows around lake and pond margins and can be recognized by
the fragrant white, pink to purple, many-petaled flowers that float on
the water surface. The large, round, floating leaves have a distinctive
slit on one side. Due to its attractiveness, this nonnative plant has
been introduced to many lakes in Washington. It can be invasive in
lakes with extensive shallow areas. |
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| Leaf:
The round, smooth, green, leathery leaves are up to
30 cm in diameter and have a slit on one side. The underside is often
red or purplish with numerous veins. The leaf stalk is attached to the
leaf center at the base of the slit.
Stem: No true upright stem is present. Straight, flexible stalks attach leaves and flowers to thick, submerged rhizomes. Flower: Large, fragrant flowers, 6-12 cm across, are located at the ends of long stalks. The flowers have numerous (20-30) white, pink, or purple petals with yellow centers. After fertilization, the flower stalk curls like a corkscrew, drawing the flower underwater. Blooms June through October. Fruit: Leathery, berry-like capsules, to 3 across, with numerous small seeds (2 mm). Root: Thick rhizomes, 2-3 cm in diameter. Propagation: Seeds, rhizomes. Importance of plant: Rhizomes and leaves were used by native Americans in eastern North America as remedies for a wide variety of ailments, from colds to ulcers. The leaves and roots are eaten by beavers, muskrats, porcupines, and deer, the seeds are eaten by waterfowl. It can become a nuisance in shallow lakes. A favorite aquatic garden plant, many varieties have been cultivated. Distribution: Native to eastern North America. Widely introduced in the Pacific Northwest. Habitat: Ponds, shallow lakes, slow streams, in water 3-6 feet deep. May be confused with: Spatterdocks (Nuphar),
which have heart-shaped leaves and bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers.
Water-shield (Brasenia
schreberi), which has smaller, slimy-coated Photographs: Nymphaea sp. Line Drawings: Nymphaea odorata |
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leaves and leaf stalks attached to
the middle of the leaves. Yellow floating-heart (