Nymphaea Sp. - Waterlily

Family: Nymphaeaceae (Water-lily) [E-flora]

"Rhizomes prostrate to erect, branched or not, stoloned or not. Leaf: blade generally floating, elliptic to round, basal lobes generally ± acute. Flower: sepals < petals, ± green; petals 8–many, white, ± red, [blue], or yellow; stamens many, attached to ovary side, erect to ascending at dehiscence, outer filaments flat, petal-like or not, inner linear; ovary < stamens. Seed: ± spheric to elliptic, arilled.
± 50 species: ± worldwide. (Greek: water nymph) [Woods et al. 2005 Syst Bot 30:471–480] Plants of both California taxa problematic weeds in waterways." [Jepson]

Local Species;

  1. Nymphaea alba - European white waterlily [E-flora]
  2. Nymphaea mexicana - yellow waterlily [E-flora]
  3. Nymphaea odorata - fragrant waterlily [E-flora]
  4. Nymphaea tetragona - pygmy waterlily [E-flora]

Key

Biology

"Nymphaea. There are numerous introduced waterlily species and hybrids in Australia, of which N. caerulea in its blue form has been widely spread in farm dams and some other waters, usually deliberately introduced as an ornamental. It should not appear in new plantings of its own accord, but if the odd seedlings are found these can be pulled out easily. It is important to not confuse the introduced species with the 10 or so indigenous species, one of which is found as far south as northern New South Wales.
The yellow-flowered N. mexicana can be a serious weed further south, forming dense, choking blankets in deep to shallow waters. This has also usually been deliberately planted, and is still sold as an un-named yellow waterlily in some nurseries. There are named yellow hybrids such as ‘Chromatella’ which do not spread or set seed, and which do not become weedy in dams. However, introduced waterlilies look ridiculous and out of place where a natural wetland effect is required." [Romanowski]

"Water Fringe (Nymphoides peltata) Description: The genus name comes from Nymphaea and the Greek ending oides, indicating resemblance. There are about twenty species of aquatic, perennial, and rhizomatous herbs with long-stalked, round, floating leaves, and aerial yellow or white flowers.
Interesting Facts: Several species are grown as ornamentals, and some have edible tubers or medicinal seeds. For example, a related species root, N. cordata, was used medicinally as a complex infusion." [Vizgirdas WPSN]

"Stomata on the plant body can be found on the lower leaf surface in most cases. An interesting exception can be seen in aquatic plants like water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), where the lower leaf surface is in contact with water and cannot serve for gas exchange. In this case, the stomata are almost exclusively on the upper surface of the leaf." [Wiedenhoeft PN]

Cultivation & Propagation

"Nymphaea. (Nymphaeaceae) All native waterlilies are tropical species, growing in fairly deep but often ephemeral waters and often in extensive stands that help stabilise water temperatures below (see Colour Plate 25b). They provide shelter, seed and edible leaves for a wide variety of animals, and their stems, tubers and flowers have been eaten by humans. Best growth is on silty soils rich in organic matter, with some nitrogen available (blood-and-bone is a convenient source) as they are heavy feeders if given the opportunity. Seed will germinate readily in warm (25°C plus), clear, shallow water, the young plants being moved deeper as they grow. Tubers of some species also produce offsets that will become new plants if separated." [Romanowski]

"Seed that is not going to be planted immediately is usually stored in a dry and cool place, as for most terrestrial plants. Dry storage seems to work well for many wetland species, but may shorten the lifespan of others. This is already well documented for some exotic aquatics, and at least a few natives. The expected viability for many wetland seeds stored cold and dry is generally only two to three years for reasonable results.
Yet wetlands that have been drained for decades and then been re-flooded have shown that quite a few wetland plants may germinate 20 and sometimes even 30 years later, though these have probably survived under exceptional circumstances. This also suggests that if you need to store seed with a reputation for short viability, keeping it cool and dark in water or moist soil may be the best storage method. Even the seed of a few tropical waterlilies (Nymphaea) and their warmth- loving relatives can be treated like this, so it is likely to be appropriate for at least a few other aquatic and water’s edge plants.
Cool, dry storage remains the simplest and most effective option, and may even be necessary to trigger germination. It is believed that some types of seed coat are designed to split when wetted after a prolonged dry period. Many Nymphoides species respond in this way, with a carpet of seedlings appearing in a newly flooded pond even if the parent plants have been killed by drought." [Romanowski]

Australian Usage of Nymphaeae Sp. In Australia a few species of Nymphaea (especially N. gigantean, and N. violacea) are gathered from the wild by aboriginal women. They collect the tubers, which are eaten roasted (they need to be leeched in water several times before being eaten), and also the buds and flower stalks, which are commonly eaten raw. [Prance&Lesbitt]

In the Roper River area, Alawa people stored waterlily roots in caves on paperbark sheets.[9] The roots apparently keep for several years if properly prepared by being sun-dried and rubbed with red ochre.
The flower stalks of unopened waterlily flowers are edible once the fibre has been removed.[11] After flowering, roundish fruits develop on the stem and then sink towards the mud at the bottom of the lagoon. Aboriginal foragers gathered the edible seeds, which have an oily flavor. The seeds were cooked in ovens built from stone or ant-bed and covered with teatree bark.[12] The cooked seed was separated from the husks and washed, then ground into a paste between two stones. In 1845, Leichhardt observed aboriginal people eating waterlily seeds and using them to feed his expedition party. He found them best cooked when still in the seed vessel. [DAPU Clarke]
Across the north, giant waterlily leaves are crashed and then rubbed over the body to discourage leeches.[15] [DAPU Clarke]
Drinking Straw: In northern western Australia, the long hollow stalks of giant waterlily were used as a straw. The stalks could also serve as filters. Levitt describes the following; [DAPU Clarke]
The stems were sometimes used as straws when drinking water was covered with scum. The stem was picked and, with leaf removed, placed end-down deep in the water. The leaf end was taken in the mouth to suck in water; the stem cells screened off impurities, allowing clean water to be drunk. The stems had to be used in this way as they do not work if reversed.[17] [DAPU Clarke]

Uses of Nymphaea Sp.

Root

Seed

Medicinal Use

Intoxicant

The dried flowers of certain species of Nymphaea and Nelumbo are sometimes smoked, made into a tea, or macerated in alcohol for a mild sedative effect.[Erowid]

In 1910 Goris and Crete indicated that they had isolated a new compound from Nuphar luteum (formerly Nymphaea lutea) which they dubbed nupharine. Not much was made of this discovery until the year 1941, when it seemed that some of the world's opium sources might be lost. It had been rumored by some earlier explorers that various water lilies might serve as an opium substitute. In 1941 Delphaut and Balansard described their experiments with water lilies. Using the powdered rhizomes of Nymphaea alba in alcohol they were able to induce a deep and profound sleep in mice, dogs and eels after an initial spasmolytic action.[Narc]

More interesting were reports from the few individuals who had made observations on the effects of Nymphaea on human behavior. Mordrakowsky (as cited by letter in Raymond-Hamet, 1941) reported the flowers of water lilies to be narcotic and to provoke a hypnotic state when ingested. One of the earliest sources for such assertions came from Descourtilz who wrote in his Pictorial and Medical Flora of the Antilles (1822), that flowers of species found in the Antilles were "narcotic and able to replace opium." While the species in question was probably N. ampla, this first report gained credence when Pobeguin (1912) noted that both N. stellata and N. caerulea had the same powers. On page 49 we read, "... a decoction of the flower is narcotic." However, all investigations to date suffer from the absence of fine species characterizations and failure to note human response to utilization of floral decoctions beyond stating that a narcosis is provoked. I will describe these psychogenic effects in a forthcoming issue of Mexican (Emboden, in press).[Narc]

From the foregoing, one element is evident: water lilies of several species and genera are able to intoxicate by inducing a hypnotic state after an initial period of neural stimulation usually reflected in nervous spasms. Would this not be the perfect trance material of the shaman? It would lead to behavioral patterns that are described for shamanic states in many and diverse cultures. [Narc]

Phytochemicals

"Sulfated polysaccharides were found in the cell walls of all marine algae to date (Arad and Levy-Ontman 2010), but their specific functions remain unclear. Aquino et al. (2005, 2011) also identified sulfated polysaccharides in marine angiosperms and could show a correlation between salinity and sulfated polysaccharides in the cell walls. On the other hand, there were no sulfated polysaccharides detected in O. sativa after salt treatment. Therefore, it was concluded that the presence of sulfated polysaccharides in the cell wall is an adaption to high salt environments. As a possible function, it was speculated that the sulfated polysaccharides increase the Donnan potential, thus facilitating the ion transport. Surprisingly, Dantas-Santos et al. (2012) also detected sulfated polysaccharides in the fresh water plants Eichhornia crassipes, Hydrocotyle bonariensis and Nymphaea ampla, which suggests further factors for sulfated polysaccharide production in plants." [Hossain DSTP]

Lore

LOTUS
"(Nelumbium nelumbo, Nymphaea nelumbo, Nelumbo nucifera, Nymphaea lotus)
Folk Names: Baino, Egyptian Lotus
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Protection, Lock-Opening
Ritual Uses: The lotus has long been revered in the East as a mystical symbol of life, spirituality, and the center of the universe. The ancient Egyptians considered the plant to be sacred and the lotus was used as an offering to the gods.
Magical Uses: Anyone who breathes the scent of the lotus will receive its protection. Place the root of a lotus under the tongue, and say the words "SIGN, ARGGIS" toward a locked door. It will miraculously open.
Lotus seeds and pods are used as antidotes to love spells, and any part of the lotus carried or worn ensures blessings by the Gods and good luck." [EMH Cunningham]

References

Nymphaea alba - European white waterlily

Nymphaea alba in Duisburg [Wiki-1]

"Nymphaea alba is a PERENNIAL.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water." [PFAF]

General: "Perennial aquatic herb from a thick, prostrate rhizome; stems slender." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Floating, crowded on the rhizome, without blotches, heart-shaped, the blades 8-25 cm wide, long-stalked." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence of showy flowers that open in the morning and close in the afternoon, 5-12.5 cm wide; petals white, pink or rose-colored, 12-24, equal to or exceeding the sepals; sepals 4, 3-6.5 cm long; stamens yellow." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Berry-like capsules, leathery, many-seeded, rupturing irregularly with a jelly-like seed mass; seeds about 2 mm long." [IFBC-E-lofra]

Habitat / Range
"Ponds and lakes in the lowland and montane zones; rare on SE Vancouver Island and at Clearwater; introduced from Europe." [IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]

Hazards

"One report suggests that the plant is poisonous but gives no further details[19]. The plant contains the toxic alkaloids nupharine and nymphaeine, these substances have an effect on the nervous system[240]." [PFAF]

Edible Uses

Root - "cooked. Eaten when several years old[5, 145]. It contains up to 40% starch, 6% protein[7, 114]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity." [PFAF]

Seed "The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[7]. Seed - cooked. It contains about 47% starch[114]." [PFAF]

Medicinal Uses
According to one report the plant is not used in modern herbal practice, though it has been quoted as a remedy for dysentery[9]." [PFAF]

"The flowers are anaphrodisiac and sedative[254]. They have a generally calming and sedative effect upon the nervous system, reputedly reducing the sex drive and making them useful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and similar disorders[254]." [PFAF]

Root

Activities

"The rhizome is anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[4, 7, 9, 240]." [PFAF]

"Anaphrodisiac (f; DEP; EFS); Anodyne (f; HJP); Antiinflmmatory (f; GAZ); Antioxidant (1; X15881650); Antiperoxidant (1; X15881650); Antiproliferant (1; X15881650); Antispasmodic (f1; EFS; WOI); Astringent (f; DEP; EFS); Chemopreventive (1; X15881650); Demulcent (f; NAD); Digitalic (1; WOI); Diaphoretic (f; DEP); Diuretic (1; MPI); Glutathiogenic (1; X15881650); Hemostat (f; EFS; HJP); Narcotic (f; DEP; EFS); Nephroprotective (1; X15881650); Paralytic (f1; WOI); Sedative (f1; WOI); Vulnerary (f; HJP); Xanthine-Oxidase Inhibitor (1; X15881650)." [MPB-Duke]

[DukePhyto]

Indications

"Bleeding (f; HJP); Boil (f; HJP); Cancer (f1; HJP; JLH; X15881650); Cancer, kidney (1; X15881650); Cancer, testes (f; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; HJP); Cramp (f; EFS); Diarrhea (f; DEP; EFS; KAB); Dysentery (f; DEP; KAB; HJP); Gastrosis (f; HJP); Inflmmation (f; GAZ); Insomnia (f; GAZ); Leukorrhea (f; GAZ); Nephrosis (1; X15881650); Nymphomania (f; GAZ); Orchosis ( f; JLH); Pain (f; HJP); Pharyngosis (f; GAZ); Parasite (f; HJP); Stomatosis (f; GAZ); Ulcer (f; HJP); Vaginosis (f; GAZ); Venereal Disease (f; HJP)." [MPB-Duke]
"Seeds, roots, and stalks are common foodstuffs in Egypt. The seeds are ground into flour for bread, or are roasted and eaten like a nut. Rhizomes are boiled before consumption. Rootstocks and seeds also eaten elsewhere; starch-rich roots are a source of starch; fermented to make a French beer (BIB; DEP)." [MPB-Duke]

Phytochemicals

EXTRACTS (WHITE WATERLILY): Roots contain gallic acids. The alkaloid nymphaeine is present in all parts of the plant, except the seeds. Toxic to frogs, it produces tetanus-like symptoms. Alcoholic extracts of the rhizome (containing the alkaloid) are mildly sedative and spasmolytic; they do not signifiantly depress the heart; in large doses, they paralyze the medulla. A glycoside nymphalin with digitalis-like action occurs in the flwers (BIB). Khan and Sultana (2005) showed anticarcinogenic effects against oxidative damage, hyperproliferative response, and renal carcinogenesis in Wistar rats. Treatment with 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight signifiantly decreased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase, H2 O2 generation, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, renal ODC activity, DNA synthesis, and incidence of tumors. Renal glutathione also recovered (X15881650)." [MPB-Duke]

In 1934 Bures and Hoffmann (4) reported nympheine, from Nymphaea alba. [TheAlkaloidsChemistry&PhysiologyV.9,1967]

Propagation
Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56]." [PFAF]

Cultivation
A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly moving water[56, 200]. Best grown in 2 - 2.5 metres of water[200]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Dislikes acid conditions according to another report. This species is hardy to about -20°c[187]. There are two basic types of plant in this genus:- 'crawlers' are species with horizontal roots that often spread freely, with new plants being formed at intervals along the root. These species are useful for naturalising, but they do not flower very freely in the cool summers of Britain[214]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots and form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[214]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The flowers, which only open in bright sunshine, have a soft delicate scent[245]." [PFAF]

Synonyms

References

Nymphaea mexicana - yellow waterlily

Nymphaea mexicana [Wiki-2] Nymphaea mexicana (Conard) [Wiki-5]

General: "Perennial aquatic herb from a thick, erect rhizome; stems slender; stolons present." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Floating, dark green and brown-blotched above, brownish with blackish dots below, heart-shaped, the blades 7-18 cm long, 7-14 cm wide, long-stalked." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence of showy flowers that open in the morning and close in the afternoon, 6-11 cm wide; petals yellow, 20-30, equal to or exceeding the sepals; sepals 4, 3-6.5 cm long; stamens yellow; stigmatic disk margin appendages 3-4.5 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Berry-like capsules, leathery, many-seeded, rupturing irregularly with a jelly-like seed mass; seeds round, pimply, 4-5 mm wide." [IFBC-E-flora]

Habitat / Range
"Ponds and lakes in the lowland zone; rare on SE Vancouver Island; introduced from Mexico." [IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Exotic [E-flora]

Food Use

"As for the ‘environmental’ or wild wetland species in the sample, Martínez and McClung report several examples of flora still consumed in the region, like papa de agua, cabeza de negro (Nymphaea mexicana), and apaclolillo (Sagittaria macrophylla). All these species have been extremely important for human subsistence through time (pp.179-181)." [Williams AAM]

Synonyms

References

Nymphaea odorata - fragrant waterlily

Nymphaea odorata fragrant water lily flower [Wiki-3]

"Nymphaea odorata is a PERENNIAL.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 5. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water." [PFAF]

General: "Perennial aquatic herb from a thick, prostrate rhizome; stems slender; stolons lacking." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Floating, scattered loosely along the rhizome, without blotches or dots, heart-shaped, the blades 10-40 cm wide, 10-40 cm long, long-stalked." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence of showy, fragrant flowers that open in the morning and close in the afternoon, 6-19 cm wide; petals white or rarely pink, 17-43, equal to or exceeding the sepals; sepals 4, 3-6.5 cm long; stamens yellow; stigmatic disk margin appendages 3-8 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Berry-like capsules, leathery, many-seeded, rupturing irregularly with a jelly-like seed mass; seeds egg-shaped, 1.5-2.5 mm long, 1.5-1.7 mm wide." [IFBC-E-flora]

Habitat / Range
"Lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams in the lowland, steppe and lower montane zones; infrequent in SW and SC BC; introduced from E North America." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Acidic or alkaline ponds, lakes, sluggish streams and rivers, pools in marshes, ditches, canals, or sloughs from sea level to 1700 metres[270]. N. America - Newfoundland to British Columbia, south to California, Florida, Mexico and Cuba." [PFAF]

Origin Status: Exotic [PFAF]

Hazards Okanagan-Colville Drug (Poison) Roots considered poisonous.[UMD-Eth-3] "Not covered (AHP). None reported at proper dosages (PHR). High doses have led to animal fatalities (PHR). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2)." [MPB-Duke]

Edible Uses

Medicinal Use

Root

Dosages (Waterlily) — "1–2 g in herb tea/day (HH2; PH2); 1–4 ml liquid herb extract (HH2; PHR)." [MPB-Duke]

Misc

Other Medicinal Use

Indications (Waterlily) — "Acne (f; FAD); Adenopathy (f; DEM); Bleeding (1; FAD); Boil (f; PH2); Burn (f; PHR); Cancer (f; JLH; PH2); Cancer, uterine (f; JLH); Cold (f; DEM); Cough (f; DEM; FAD); Cystosis (f; HHB); Dermatosis (1; PH2); Diarrhea (f; PHR; PH2); Dysentery (1; PH2); Enterosis (f; FAD); Flu (f; DEM); Freckle (f; FAD); Furuncle (f; HH2; PHR); Gonorrhea (f; PH2); Infection (1; PHR; PH2); Inflammation (1; PH2); Leukorrhea (f; HH2; PH2); Nephrosis (f; HHB); Pain (f; EFS; JLH); Pharyngosis (f; HH2; PHR); Pulmonosis (f; FAD); Scrofula (f; PH2); Sore (1; DEM; PH2); Sore Throat (1; PNC); Spermatorrhea (f; HHB); Stomatosis (f; FAD; PH2); Swelling (f; DEM); Toothache (f; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; DEM; FAD); Tumor (f; PH2); Uterosis (f; JLH); Vaginosis (f; HH2; PHR; PH2); VD (f; PH2); Whitlow (f; JLH)." [MPB-Duke]

Activities

Activities (Waterlily) — "Analgesic (f; EFS); Antiseptic (1; EFS; PHR; PH2); Astringent (1; EFS; HH2; PHR; PH2); Demulcent (f; EFS); Hemostat (1; FAD); Poison (f; DEM); Suppurative (f; DEM)." [MPB-Duke]

[DukePhyto]

Propagation
"Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56]." [PFAF]

Cultivation
"A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still or slowly flowing water that is at least 30cm deep[55, 200, 238]. An over-rich soil, or growing the plant in water that is too deep, inhibits flowering[238]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. There are two basic types of plant in this genus (this species is a crawler):- 'crawlers' are species with horizontal roots that often spread freely, with new plants being formed at intervals along the root. These species are useful for naturalising, but they do not flower very freely in the cool summers of Britain[214]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots, they form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[214]. A very ornamental plant[1], the sweetly fragrant flowers are 12cm in diameter[222]. The flowers open in the morning, when they are at their most fragrant, and close in the afternoon[245]." [PFAF]

PFAF User Comments
david Tue Jan 5 2010
I tried one of these leaves, a pinch raw most of it cooked, I was curious because one author says the leaves taste like mud. I found them bland, a little bitter, however the TIP OF MY TONGUE WENT NUMB & TINGLY shortly after. There is a chance the nursery I purchased it from sent me the wrong plant, I think this is unlikely, although more likely than countless authors being wrong about the leaves being edible, I doubt numb and tingly could ever become a fashionable novelty, but you never know. I will have to do the experiment again but not in a hurry.
david Sun Jan 17 2010
I tried another leaf yesterday, no numbness but the worst diarrhoea I've ever had. May be coincidence, but I wont be trying it again in a hurry. It is the variety 'G B Shaw" according to the supplier, I'll wait til the thing flowers so I can be sure of what I'm dealing with. Bizarre.
David N. Dec 6 2014 12:00AM
Since the above comments I've been eating the leaves routinely, cooked, with no problems at all, I don't know what was going on there. I do think they have consistency a bit like mud or clay (as wild food authors Brill & Dean say) but you get used to it, I tend to use it in things like curry where it's passable flavor is not an issue. This is one of the most reliable & productive crops I've ever grown, like kale, leaves just keep appearing all spring through autumn. I also eat the stems chopped & cooked, as is done with other waterlilies, they're great. It grows really well in a half wine-barrel -David Nicholls

Synonyms

  • Castalia lekophylla Small [E-flora]
  • Castalia minor (Sims) Nyar [E-flora]
  • Castalia odorata (Aiton) Alph. Wood [E-flora]
  • Castalia reniformis DC. [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea minor (Sims) DC. [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. gigantea Tricker [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. godfreyi Ward [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. minor Sims [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. rosea Pursh [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. stenopetala Fernald [E-flora]
  • Nymphaea odorata var. villosa Caspary [E-flora]
  • N. maximiliani Lehm. [MPB-Duke]
  • N. rosea Raf. [MPB-Duke]

References

Nymphaea tetragona - pygmy waterlily

Nymphaea tetragona var. minima [Wiki-4]

Blue-Listed in B.C. [E-flora]

"Nymphaea tetragona is a PERENNIAL.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 2. It is in flower from Jul to August, and the seeds ripen from Aug to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies, beetles, self.The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water." [PFAF]

General: "Perennial aquatic herb from thick, erect rhizome; stems slender; stolons lacking." [IFBC-E-flora]
Leaves: "Floating, arising from the summit of the rhizomes, long-stalked, without blotches or dots, heart-shaped, the blades 2-11 cm wide, 3-13 cm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Flowers: "Inflorescence of showy flowers that open in the morning and close in the afternoon, 3-7.5 cm wide; petals white, 10-17, equal to the sepals; sepals 2-3 cm long; stamens yellow; stigmatic disk margin appendages 3-4 mm long." [IFBC-E-flora]
Fruits: "Berry-like capsules, leathery, many-seeded, rupturing irregularly with a jelly-like seed mass; seeds egg-shaped, 2-3 mm long, 1.5-2 mm wide." [IFBC-E-flora]

Habitat / Range "Lakes, ponds and slow-moving streams in the lowland and montane zones; rare in coastal and C BC, northward to NW BC; N to AK and NT and disjunct E to SE MB." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Ponds and shallow lakes in Japan[58]. Ponds, lakes, and quiet streams from sea level to 1200 metres in northwestern N. America[270]. N.E. Europe to E. Asia and western N. America." [IFBC-E-flora]

Origin Status: Native [E-flora]

Root "Root[105, 177]. No more details are given." [PFAF]

Activities

[DukePhyto]

Propagation

"Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56]." [PFAF]

Cultivation

"A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position in still[200, 55]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Best grown in 15 - 30cm of water[200]. There are two basic types of plant in this genus (this species is a clumper): -'crawlers' are species with horizontal roots that often spread freely, with new plants being formed at intervals along the root. These species are useful for naturalising, but they do not flower very freely in the cool summers of Britain[214]. 'clumpers' have vertical roots, they form slowly spreading clumps and produce offsets around the crown. These forms flower much more freely in Britain[214]. A very ornamental plant[1]." [PFAF]

Synonyms

References

Image References