Rural Perspectives: Fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata)

The fragrant water lily is a floating flower that can be
up to 12 inches across. Photo credit Diane Constable

by Diane Constable

While out and about on the quiet, still waters of shallow waterways, you are sure to see our beautiful native fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata).

The waxy, shiny bright green round leaves with a “v” notch can be easily identified from a distance. They float on the surface of the water and can be as big as dinner plates — up to 12 inches across. The underside is purple and the stems tether the leaves to the buried 3- to 4-inch tubers.

With their 20-30 petals, the very fragrant floating flowers are an eye-catching white with bright yellow stamens in the center.

Turtles shelter under the leaves, birds eat the seeds, muskrat eat the roots and deer munch on the leaves. Humans also have used this plant for food and medicinal purposes.

Fun Fact: The leaves are so large they create their own microhabitats by sheltering small pond plants and animals underneath. They also can act as a landing pad for larger insects and small frogs.

Diane Gray Constable