Nymphaea odorata Aiton

White Water Lily; Fragrant Water Lily

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

White Water Lily is a native herbaceous floating-leafed aquatic perennial in the Water-Lily family (Nymphaceae). It can be found throughout most of Alabama, but is particularly common in the Coastal Plain. White Water Lily grows in ponds and lakes, in beaver ponds and sloughs, in sluggish streams and marshes, and in canals. It is a perennial with a thick, branching rhizome buried in the mud and bottom sediments. Leaves are petiolate, float on the water’s surface, ovate to orbicular in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are green above and deep red to purple below. Both surfaces are glabrous. Flowers are solitary on long peduncles. The flowers float on the water’s surface. There are 4 green sepals and 17-43 white or rarely pink petals per flower, and 35-120 yellow stamens. The fruit is a berry with numerous seed. White Water Lily flowers are fragrant, and only open during the day for three days. On the first day, the flowers produce a fluid that accumulates in the cup-like center of the flower. Insects visiting the flower often fall into this fluid and any pollen on their bodies is washed off and onto the stigmas (pollen trapping part of the female portion of the flower). On the second and third days, no fluid is produced and the stigmas are not receptive to pollen. Instead the anthers open and release pollen. By having the male and female potions of the flower active at different times cross pollination is ensured. After three days, the petiole (stalk of the flower) coils and pulls the flower under water where the fruit develops. White Water Lily is a delightful plant for ornamental ponds. Numerous hybrids in a range of colors are available. Water Lilies should not be introduced into natural water bodies as they can be very aggressive and clog waterways. Their large floating leaves block sunlight and can eliminate submerged aquatic plants.--A. Diamond

**

Native

**