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WHITE WATER LILY

NOMENCLATURE

Other Names: fragrant water lily

 Scientific Name: Nymphaea odorata Aiton

 Plant Family: Nymphaeaceae

GENERAL INFORMATION

Botanical Description: emersed aquatic

Stems: no actual stems, only thick, branched, underwater leaf petioles

 Leaves: flattish, almost circular with a deep incision in one side, joined to petiole stem in the center, float on water surface, mature leaves may be 6 - 20 inches in diameter, often red to purple underneath

 Roots: horizontal, elongated underwater rhizomes without tubers

 Flowers: Solitary flowers are on the end of a long stalk. Each flower has many white (sometimes pinkish), narrowly oblong petals often with yellow near center. Flowers are 2 - 5 inches in diameter, very fragrant, and appear June - September.

 Seeds: Tiny (<1/16 inch) seeds mature underwater in a fleshy, round saclike fruit.

Seedling:

ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

LIFE CYCLE

Reproduction: perennial

 Propagation: rhizome

 Dispersal:

DISTRIBUTION

State: Common throughout Wisconsin.

 National: Found throughout the eastern half of the continental U.S.

 Origin: native of North America

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Found in many lakes, ponds and marshes. Requires quiet, clear, shallow waters. Common in reservoirs and flood canals of cranverry bogs.

SCOUTING PROCEDURE/ET

While scouting a cranberry bed for disease and insect pests, identify weed populations as they arise. Note the specie(s) of weed present as well as the population level relative to field area. Example: 10% white water lily, 20% boneset and joe-pye weed mix.

REFERENCES

Kummer, L. D., T. G. Dittl, and T. D. Planer. 1993. Wisconsin Cranberry Weeds. Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. p. 31.

 

Lorenzi, H. J. and L. S. Jeffery. 1987. Weeds of the United States and Their Control. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, New York. p. 142.

 

McGregor, R. L. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas. p. 83.

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