yellow water-lily

Nuphar lutea

The yellow water-lily is a beautiful flower that floats on water. Its big, round leaves and bright yellow flowers are often seen in ponds and lakes during the summer.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The yellow water-lily has heart-shaped, glossy green leaves that float flat on the water's surface, reaching up to 30 cm wide. Its distinctive, cup-shaped flowers are bright yellow, often with reddish touches inside, and emerge slightly above the water.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderNymphaealesFamilyNymphaeaceaeGenusNuphar

yellow water-lily

Interesting facts

Ancient cultures sometimes harvested and ground its seeds into flour or popped them like popcorn!

Its bright yellow flowers open in the morning sunshine and then close up tight at dusk each day!

Look closely inside the flower; it has many tiny, secret petals that look like stamens!

The underwater stems (rhizomes) of a single plant can grow to be several meters long!

Special abilities

Yellow water-lily has thick, strong rhizomes that anchor it firmly to the muddy bottom, even in flowing water.

It has special air channels in its stems and leaves that carry oxygen from the air down to its underwater roots.

The waxy coating on its leaves makes water and dirt slide off, keeping them clean for maximum sunlight absorption.

After flowering, its fruit develops into a leathery pod that floats and eventually releases seeds into the water.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-300 cm
Spread: 50-150 cm
Flower Size: 3-6 cm
Bloom Season: Summer to early Autumn
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Muskrat

Ondatra zibethicus

Muskrats eat its nutritious underwater rhizomes.

eats

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

Mallards and other waterfowl consume its seeds and leaves.

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

Bees visit the flowers to collect nectar and pollen.

shelters

Common frog

Rana temporaria

Frogs often hide and rest on its broad floating leaves.

Traits

Flowering

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

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.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

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.