# American white waterlily (*Nymphaea odorata*) The American white waterlily is a beautiful flower that floats on water. Its big, white petals open up to the sun, making ponds and lakes look lovely. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 35 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Fragrant Water Lily, White Water Lily ![American white waterlily](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/White_Flower.jpg&width=800) Photo: IvanTortuga, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:White_Flower.jpg) ## Appearance The American white waterlily has large, circular green leaves that float flat on the water's surface. Its striking, star-shaped flowers are pure white with a bright yellow center, often appearing to float right alongside the leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Nymphaeales - **Family:** Nymphaeaceae - **Genus:** Nymphaea ## Interesting facts - Each flower floats on a long, flexible stem, letting it bob and sway gently with the water's movement! - Its flowers are like thermometers, warming up slightly to lure in sleepy beetles! - Some waterlily seeds can remain dormant for years at the bottom of a pond before sprouting! - The water-repellent leaves mean rain and dew just roll right off their shiny, green surface! ## Special abilities - **Floating Pads:** American white waterlily has broad, buoyant leaves that float on the water, helping it capture maximum sunlight for energy. - **Daily Bloomers:** American white waterlily can open its fragrant white flowers in the morning and close them again at night, like sleeping! - **Underground Anchors:** American white waterlily has strong rhizomes buried in the mud that anchor it firmly and store vital nutrients for winter. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-30 cm - **Spread:** 60-150 cm - **Flower Size:** 10-20 cm - **Bloom Season:** Late spring to early fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers - **Eaten by:** [Muskrat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/muskrat) (*Ondatra zibethicus*) — Eats the rhizomes and young stems - **Shelter:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Hides among the floating leaves - **Eats:** [Waterlily Leaf Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/waterlily-leaf-beetle) (*Galerucella nymphaeae*) — Feeds on the leaves and flowers ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always stay close to an adult when near water to stay safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American white waterlily? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is American white waterlily? 5-30 cm ### How wide does American white waterlily spread? 60-150 cm ### How big are the flowers on American white waterlily? 10-20 cm ### When does American white waterlily bloom? Late spring to early fall ### Is American white waterlily edible? Yes ### Is American white waterlily toxic? None ### What is American white waterlily's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Black Tern Bog State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-tern-bog-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park - [Boerner Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boerner-botanical-gardens) — Wisconsin, US · Botanical Garden - [Chenango Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chenango-canal) — New York, US · Historic Site - [Columbia Historic District I](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-historic-district-i) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Concord Monument Square-Lexington Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord-monument-square-lexington-road-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [East Plymouth Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-plymouth-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see American white waterlily](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-white-waterlily) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [American white waterlily: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-white-waterlily)