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Nymphaea odorata Aiton

Fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassMagnoliidaeIncludes magnolias, nutmeg, bay laurel, cinnamon, avocado, black pepper, and many others
OrderNymphaealesWater lilies and other aquatic plants
FamilyNymphaeaceaeWater lily family
GenusNymphaeaFrom the Greek Νυμφαία, possibly related to Νύμφη, meaning “nymph”
SpeciesodorataMeans “scented”

About plant names...

Fragrant water lily is native to North and Central America. Beautiful in the wild, and coveted as an ornamental, it is nevertheless considered an invasive in some habitats. Plants spread slowly, but they eventually commandeer large patches of water less than eight feet deep at the expense of other plants.

Identification: Water lilies are instantly recognizable by their 4-12″ (10-30 cm), round, flat leaves, often turned up slightly at the edges in order to float. If they are flowering, as they do during the first half of the day, you'll see their large, very attractive, white (sometimes pink), fragrant blossoms. These iconic blossoms are 5-9″ (12-22 cm) around, with 25 or more white petals and yellow centers made up of as many as 70 stamens.

Edibility: Young unrolling leaves and unopened flower buds may be boiled for 5-10 minutes and served buttered.

Online References:

Illinois Wildflowers

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

CalPhotos

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The Washington State Department of Ecology

Wildflowers of the United States

EFloras

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

5/10/2023 · James and Lavina Kemp Preserve, Berry Woods Preserve, Georgetown, Maine

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashoba Hospital, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

8/8/2010 · Jeff Smith Trail, Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

8/7/2016 · Jeff Smith Trail, Jewett St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

8/2/2010 · Beaver Brook Association Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

 

Nymphaea odorata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

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Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/8/2016 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/11/2012 · Jeff Smith Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

6/25/2015 · Far and Near

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

8/21/2013 · Estuary Trail, Shipley Swamp, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

[Blue flowers are Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata)] · 7/18/2010 · Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/8/2016 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

8/28/2021 · Center Pond Preserve, Phippsburg, Maine · By Priscilla Seimer

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/18/2010 · Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

6/20/2016 · Wildlife Pond Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Nymphaea odorata (fragrant water lily, beaver root, American white waterlily)

7/26/2009 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Range:

About this map...