spatterdock

Nuphar advena

Spatterdock is a lovely water plant with big, round leaves that float on the surface of ponds and lakes. It has bright yellow flowers that look like little cups and attract many insects.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The spatterdock is an aquatic plant featuring large, leathery, heart-shaped leaves that often float or stand above the water. Its bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers typically emerge on thick stalks, contrasting with its deep green foliage. It looks distinctly sturdy and lush in its watery home.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderNymphaealesFamilyNymphaeaceaeGenusNuphar

spatterdock

Interesting facts

Its massive underwater rhizomes can grow as thick as a human arm!

Native Americans once used spatterdock roots to make a soothing tea for various ailments.

Spatterdock flowers smell like fermenting apples, which attracts buzzing pollinator insects.

The plant's leaves provide important shade, keeping the water cool for fish and other creatures.

Special abilities

Spatterdock has special air canals in its stems and leaves that carry oxygen from the air down to its roots, helping it breathe underwater.

Spatterdock uses strong, thick rhizomes to anchor itself firmly in the mucky bottom, preventing it from floating away in currents or wind.

Spatterdock has waxy leaves that shed water easily, helping them stay dry and prevent clogging of pores for photosynthesis.

Measurements & details

Height: 10-55 cm
Spread: 50-200 cm
Flower Size: 4-7 cm
Bloom Season: Late spring to early fall
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

consumes its starchy rhizomes and leaves

eats

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

feeds on the nutrient-rich seeds and fruits

shelters

Largemouth bass

Micropterus salmoides

finds protection and shade among its broad leaves

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Broadleaf Tree

Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

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.