General Species Description
- White water lily is a perennial aquatic plant. The hypogynous white flower floats at the waters' surface among the large green leaves. It often grows in extensive monoculture communities although my finding was limited to a few flowers. Rare beauty in the wild; and a valued ornamental water plant, both "wild" and numerous hybrids since 1786.
Leaves
- The notch of the stiff cordate leaves is connected to peduncles to rhizome (depth up to 2.5 m). The blades ( 15-25 cm) have veins that double branch and repeat that design from mid to outer margin of leaf. .
Inflorescence/Flowers
- The white water lily is fragrant solitary flower (20 - 30 petals) with many petal-like stigmas and green sepals (4) and 15 cm in diameter.
Fruits
- Spherical leathery fleshy green pod with opening at throat. The hypogynous carpels bob at the waters' surface.
Habitat
- Yellow pond-lily grows in freshwater marshes, lakes, shorelines of open waters and slow-moving streams. Associated flora include Juncus and Carex species.
Range
- Yellow pond-lily extends from southern Alaska, eastern and western sides of Cascade Mountains to California; also east to Alta, South Dakota and Colorado. Commonly found within lowlands to mountain habitat.
Similar Species
- Pygmy water lily (Nymphaea tetragona) shows off a smaller unscented flower. The yellow pond-lily (Nuphar luteum) also has heart-shaped leaves, but with yellow petals with thick knob in center.
Ecological Value
- Leaves shield amphibians, animals, aquatic insects; and offers habitat for algae growth. rootstocks.
Human Value
- The water lily root is often used in gargles for sore throat and skin lotions for boils, ulcers, tumors, baldness and inflammations. Folk medicines used the root for diseases of respiratory, gastro-digestive, and sexual malaise and for skin ailments.
References
- Baumgardt, John Philip. How to Identify Flowering Plant Families. Timber Press. Portland, OR, 269 pp.
- Cook, S.S., ed. 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington & Northwest Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle WA, 417pp.
- Hitchcock, Leo C; Cronquist, Arthur. Flora of the Pacific Northwest, University of Washington Press. Seattle, WA.1973. 730pp.
This page was created by: Gail Russell, August 1999
Return to Biodiversity of Oregon's Wetland Plants