Scientific name:  Nymphaea

 

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Oval-shaped
  • Fleshy
  • Green on top
  • Purple or red on bottom

Flowers:

  • Found above water
  • Many colored

Stem:

  • Fleshy rhizomes

 

Where Does it Grow?

Water lily can be found in ponds, lakes, slow streams and ditches.

 

Pros and Cons of Water Lily

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

 

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

 

Information and photos courtesy of AquaPlant A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae.