Nymphaea odorata

This water lily has spectacular fragrant flowers. The leaf pads are also attractive, but they can appear rather beat-up toward the end of the growing season. Fragrant Water Lily is very similar to Nymphaea tuberosa (White Water Lily), which is more common in Illinois. This latter species has slightly larger flowers (about 4-8" across) that are lacking in significant fragrance. Also, the petals of its flowers are more blunt at their tips than those of the Fragrant Water Lily. The seeds of White Water Lily are larger in size (3-4 mm. in length and ovoid-globoid in shape) than the seeds of Fragrant Water Lily (2 mm. in length and ellipsoid-oblongoid in shape). Other floating aquatic plants that are somewhat similar to water lilies include Nuphar advena (Spatterdock), Nelumbo lutea (Water Lotus), and Brasenia schreberi (Watershield). The flowers of these plants are either yellow or reddish purple, and they are all native to Illinois.

This native perennial plant is a floating aquatic that can grow in water up to 8' deep. The leaves develop directly from the rootstock on long petioles. They are 4-12" across, orbicular in shape, cleft toward the middle on one side, and smooth along the outer margins. The upper surface of the leaf is medium green, while the lower surface is often purplish; its texture is rather leathery and thick. Fine veins radiate outward from the center of the leaf. The air pores through which the leaf breathes are located on the upper surface, rather than the lower surface (unlike the leaves of most plants). The long petiole of each leaf is terete, stout, and purplish; it is often covered with algae. Long flowering stalks also develop directly from the rootstock; each stalk is unbranched and bears a single floating flower at its apex. The appearance of these stalks resembles the petioles of the leaves. Each flower is about 3-6" across; it has 4 greenish white sepals on the bottom that rest on the water surface, and about 20-30 white petals above. In the middle of the petals, there are many golden yellow stamens surrounding a single pistil. The petals are elliptic-lanceolate and they curve slightly upward. The outer stamens have winged filaments that are broader than the anthers, while the inner stamens have narrow filaments. The blooming period occurs during the summer and early fall. Each flower lasts only 3-4 days; it opens up during the morning and closes during the afternoon. The flowers are quite fragrant. After the petals wither away, a multicelled fruit develops that is globoid; the stalk of this fruit bends downward and it matures underwater. Eventually, this fruit releases its seeds which float upward to the surface of the water. After being carried about by water currents and the wind, they sink downward to the bottom, where they can germinate. The root system consists of long forking rhizomes and coarse fibrous roots. Vegetative colonies are often formed.

While the entire state falls within the range of Fragrant Water Lily in the United States, it is a rare plant that is found in only a few counties in NE and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). This water lily is absent from natural habitats in the central area of the state, although it is sometimes cultivated in ponds and wetland gardens. Natural habitats include ponds, protected areas of lakes, and clear slow-moving rivers, particularly where dams have been constructed (whether by humans or beavers).

Nymphaea odorata var. gigantea Tricker:
United States (North America)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Nymphaea odorata Aiton:
Canada (North America)
Guyana (South America)
Suriname (South America)
United States (North America)
Brazil (South America)

Note: This information is based on publications available through Tropicos and may not represent the entire distribution. Tropicos does not categorize distributions as native or non-native.

Canada

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata occurs natively throughout eastern North America, from Manitoba and Ontario to the Atlantic Provinces south to Texas and Florida. This species also occurs in western North America, i.e., British Columbia, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, where it has been introduced from Eastern North America (McDougal 1973, Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997). Its occurrence has been recorded in the following provinces and states; British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin (Scoggan 1978, Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997, USDA-NRCS 1999, Biota of North America Program). It is also known to occur natively in Mexico, Bahamas, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and has been naturalized in Guyana (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997).

Nymphaea odorata is known from historical occurrences in South Dakota. It has recently been reported in Missouri River marshes in Yankton County along border with Nebraska but it is not known for certain whether the occurrences were in Nebraska or South Dakota (South Dakota Natural Heritage Database).

The Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1997) cites the occurrence of Nymphaea odorata in Alberta and New Mexico while the Biota of North America Program does not. The Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre reported that this species is not known from Alberta, and the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program reported that it is not known from New Mexico.

Nymphaea odorata ssp. tuberosa has a smaller range than N. odorata ssp. odorata, and is reported to occur natively in the following provinces and states: Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997, USDA-NRCS 1999).

More detailed range information was available for the following provinces and states. In provinces and states where both subspecies occur, the information provided refers to the range of the two subspecies considered together under the species N. odorata, unless the subspecies are specifically referred to.

British Columbia: southwest and south-central British Columbia (G. Douglas pers. comm.).

Manitoba: ssp. odorata - east side of Lake Winnipeg, and Hill Lake (northwestern side of Lake Winnipeg) westward to the Saskatchewan border. ssp. tuberosa - southeastern 1/6 of the province (to just north of the Winnipeg River), at the northwestern limit of its range (E. Punter pers. comm.).

Ontario: widespread in southern and central Ontario, particularly on the Precambrian (Canadian) Shield. Not sure of northern limit (M. Oldham pers. comm.).

Quebec: ssp. odorata - across southern Quebec up to the 48th latitude. ssp. tuberosa - mainly restricted to the St. Lawrence River system (J. Labrecque pers. comm.).

Alaska: one record from Baranof Island in south-east Alaska (Alaska Natural Heritage Program).

Arizona: found in Clear Creek Reservoir, Navajo County, and Yavapai (Arizona Heritage Data Management System).

California: under elevations of 2,700 m in scattered localities including Lake Tahoe, Sacramento Valley (Butte County) and the San Bernardino Mountains (California Natural Diversity Database).

Colorado: reported in Colorado (Biota of North America Program, Herbarium COLO).

Delaware: occurs in piedmont and coastal plain (Delaware Natural Heritage Program).

Florida: occurs through the state (Wunderlin et al. 1995).

Georgia: known from 25 counties mostly in the southern half of the state (USDA-NRCS 1999).

Idaho: most common in and perhaps restricted to approximately the northern third of the state (M. Mancuso pers. comm.).

Illinois: occurs statewide (W. McClain pers. comm.).

Indiana: mostly confined to northern 1/4 of the state (Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center)

Iowa: frequent in Lakes Area of north-west Iowa; infrequent to rare elsewhere (Iowa Department of Natural Resources).

Kansas: widely scattered throughout the eastern three-fourths of Kansas, but apparently most common in the southeastern sixth (C. Freeman pers. comm.).

Kentucky: reported in 9 counties scattered throughout the state (USDA-NRCS 1999).

Louisiana: occurs statewide (Louisiana Natural Heritage Program).

Massachusetts: occurs in every county in Massachusetts (USDA-NRCS 1999).

Maine: occurs in every county (Haines and Vining 1998, D. Cameron pers. comm.).

Michigan: common and widespread throughout state (Michigan Natural Features Inventory).

Minnesota: occurs statewide (Minnesota Natural Heritage).

Missouri: scattered occurrences in central and southern portions of state (T. Smith pers. comm.)

Nevada: introduced in Nevada (Nevada Natural Heritage Program).

New York: occurs in every county of the state (S. Young pers. comm.).

North Carolina: recorded in 40 counties throughout the state (North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Radford et al. 1968)

Ohio: occurs throughout state (Ohio Natural Heritage Data Base).

Rhode Island: occurs in all but one county in the state (USDA-NRCS 1999)

South Carolina: recorded in 26 counties scattered throughout the state (Boyle et al.).

South Dakota: historically documented from 2 sites in Minnehaha county in the south-east (Larson 1993, South Dakota Natural Heritage Database).

Tennessee: known to occur in 7 counties scattered throughout the state (The APSU Center for Field Biology and University of Tennessee Herbarium 1999).

Utah: occurs in Kane, Utah, and Washington (?) counties (B. Franklin pers. comm.).

Virginia: reported in about 25 counties mostly in the south-east portion of the state (USDA-NRCS 1999).

Vermont: ssp. odorata ubiquitous while ssp. tuberosa is restricted to more alkaline waters, mostly in the Lake Champlain Valley (R. Popp pers. comm.).

Wisconsin: occurs throughout the state (K. Westad pers. comm.).

West Virginia: occurs in 6 counties in western two-thirds of the state (USDA-NRCS 1999).

Rhizomes frequently branched, repent, cylindric; stolons absent. Leaves: petiole glabrous or pubescent. Leaf blade abaxially green to purple, adaxially green, ovate to nearly orbiculate, (5-)10-40 × (5-)10-40 cm, margins entire; venation radiate centrally, without weblike pattern, principal veins 6-27; surfaces glabrous. Flowers floating, 6-19 cm diam., opening and closing diurnally, only sepals and outermost petals in distinct whorls of 4; sepals uniformly green or reddened, obscurely to prominently veined, lines of insertion on receptacle not prominent; petals (14-)17-43, white, rarely pink; stamens 35-120, yellow, connective appendage projecting less than 1(-2) mm beyond anther; filaments widest below middle, mostly longer than anthers; pistil 10-25-locular, appendages at margin of stigmatic disk linear-tapered, 3-8(-10) mm. Seeds ovoid, ca. 1.5-4.5 × 0.9-3 mm, 1.5-1.75 times as long as broad, lacking papillae on surface.

While the entire state falls within the range of Fragrant Water Lily in the United States, it is a rare plant that is found in only a few counties in NE and southern Illinois (see Distribution Map). This water lily is absent from natural habitats in the central area of the state, although it is sometimes cultivated in ponds and wetland gardens. Natural habitats include ponds, protected areas of lakes, and clear slow-moving rivers, particularly where dams have been constructed (whether by humans or beavers).

Comments: Lakes, lake margins, quiet bays in lakes and rivers, slow-moving streams, and ponds in lowland, steppe and lower montane zones (G. Douglas pers. comm., M. Mancuso pers. comm., E. Punter pers. comm.) at 0 to 1710 m elevation (B. Franklin pers. comm., Welsh et al. 1993, Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997). River/lake bottom of soft sediment and neutral pH preferred (E. Punter pers. comm.). Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata usually found in more stagnant waters in lakes or ponds, even in marshes, bogs or fens, in 0.5 to 1 m of water. Nymphaea odorata ssp. tuberosa usually found in slow moving water about 0.5 to 1 m in depth and slightly alkaline (>7.2) pH (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997, J. Labrecque pers. comm.).

The abundant pollen of the flowers attracts small bees (mainly Halictid), various flies, and beetles. In particular, the bees Hylaeus nelumbonis, Lasioglossum nelumbonis, and Lasioglossum nymphaearum are oligoleges (specialist visitors) of the flowers of water lilies and closely related plants. There are also oligolectic insects that feed on the leaves and petioles of water lilies. These include Sericothrips langei (Waterlily Thrips) and the larvae of several moths, including Bellura gortynoides (White-Tailed Diver), Monroessa gyralis (Pyralid Moth sp.), and Synclita obliteralis (Water Lily Leafcutter). The larvae of Galerucella nymphaeae (Water Lily Beetle) and several Donacia spp. (Water Lily Leaf Beetles) feed on water lilies; the adults feed on either the pollen or the leaves. In the Midwest, water lilies have only minor food value to ducks, which feed on the rootstocks and fruits/seeds primarily in the Gulf states. Various turtles also feed on the leaves, petioles, and fruits/seeds of water lilies, including Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle), Chrysemys picta marginata (Midwestern Painted Turtle), and Sternotherus odoratus (Musk Turtle). The foliage and rootstocks are favorite sources of food for muskrats and beavers. White-Tailed Deer occasionally enter the water to feed on the foliage of water lilies.

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 81 to >300

Comments: Thousands of populations globally.

British Columbia: 21-100 (G. Douglas pers. comm.); Manitoba: N. odorata ssp. odorata - at least 5, ssp. tuberosa - at least 2 (E. Punter pers. comm.); Ontario: thousands (M. Oldham pers. comm.); Quebec: ssp. odorata - 50, ssp. tuberosa - 20 (Rousseau 1974, J. Labrecque pers. comm.); Alaska: 1 (Alaska Natural Heritage Program); Florida: at least 53*; Georgia: at least 25*; Kansas: 15-20 (C. Freeman pers. comm.); Kentucky: at least 9*; Massachusetts: at least 12*; New York: thousands (S. Young pers. comm.); Rhode Island: at least 4*; Virginia: at least 25*; Wisconsin: thousands (K. Westad pers. comm.); West Virginia: at least 6*. * signifies minimum number of populations based on the number of counties for which the species is recorded according to state distribution maps.

The number of populations is likely underestimated for provinces and states, and rangewide. The difficulty in accessing lakes, ponds, and streams where Nymphaea odorata is found, and the difficulty in collecting a large, strongly rhizomatous plant in deep water make it likely that it is under-collected.

The estimated number of populations in Manitoba is low and possibly under-recorded as the two ssp. are in a region with few or no road access. Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata is found in a number of different watersheds, but ssp. tuberosa appears to be confined to the Lake of the Woods/Winnipeg River watershed (E. Punter pers. comm.).

Species is likely under-collected in Quebec (J. Labrecque pers. comm.).

Given the large areas of south-east Alaska that have not been botanized, additional populations may be found in the future (Alaska Natural Heritage Program)

The number of populations is likely underestimated in the Kansas. Due to its popularity as an ornamental, it is often difficult to determine if populations are native or introduced (C. Freeman pers. comm.).

In a vegetation study of 400 freshwater lakes in Wisconsin, Nymphaea odorata was found in 10% of the lakes. There are about 10,000 lakes and ponds in Wisconsin, so you would expect to find N. odorata in approximately 1,000 lakes and ponds. Considering occurrences in streams and ditches, the best estimate of N. odorata populations would be more than 1,000 (K. Westad pers. comm.).

Nymphaea odorata ssp. tuberosa is endemic to continental North America, and tends to be weedy in the eastern part of its range (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997). It is listed a noxious weed in California (California Natural Diversity Database, Arizona Heritage Data Management System).

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N5 - Secure

Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure

Reasons: Species is common and widespread in many parts of its range. While the number of populations is largely unknown, it is estimated that there are at least a few thousand rangewide. The number of populations in many regions is assumed to be underestimated. Since this species is has proven itself to be proficient in establishing itself when introduced to historically non-native areas, this species is not likely to be eradicated under current conditions.

Global Short Term Trend: Relatively stable (=10% change)

Comments: Species trends were estimated to be stable in Quebec (J. Labrecque pers. comm.), Louisiana (Louisiana Natural Heritage Program), Maine (D. Cameron pers. comm.), New Jersey (New Jersey Natural Heritage Program), Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory), New York (S. Young pers. comm.), and Wisconsin (K. Westad pers. comm.); stable to declining in Manitoba (E. Punter pers. comm.).

As this species grows in areas that in many regions of its range are difficult to access, is assumed to be under-collected, and is generally common enough to be of low priority to the Natural Heritage Program, there is little population data available. Therefore it is difficult to estimate population trends.

It is difficult to estimate population trend in Manitoba, as no census has be conducted. But in general, cottage development, logging operations, and wild rice harvesting may have had a negative effect on populations (E. Punter pers. comm.).

Human creation of reservoirs may actually be increasing the number of Nymphaea odorata populations in Wisconsin (K. Westad pers. comm.).

There are no good baseline census data about the number and status of populations in Kansas because species is a low priority for the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory (C. Freeman pers. comm.).

Comments: Indirect evidence of collecting from wild populations in Maine, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

The recent popularity of water lilies for landscaping gardens make it likely that Nymphaea odorata is collected by individuals from the wild for this purpose (D. Cameron pers. comm., R. Popp pers. comm., T. Smith, pers. comm). Most water lilies sold in nurseries are from cultivar rather than wild stock (G. Douglas pers. comm., E. Punter pers. comm.). However, aquatic plant nurseries in the Fox River Valley, Wisconsin, for example, have apparently collected stock from the wild (K. Westad pers. comm.). There is no evidence of collection of this species from the wild for medicinal purposes by individuals or on a commercial basis.

Amounts collected are probably small due to the difficulty of obtaining rhizome from 1-3 m in deep water (E. Punter pers. comm.).

Threats to this species and its habitats include siltation of backwater lakes (W. McClain pers. comm.), cottage development, shoreline enhancements, logging operations, wild rice harvesting, water level manipulations, e.g., for hydro-electric development, wetland drainage, and increasing numbers of beavers which eat the rhizomes (E. Punter pers. comm.).

Biological Research Needs: A population genetics study is needed to distinguish between environmental factors and hybridization in intermediate forms of Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata and N. odorata ssp. tuberosa (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1997, E. Punter pers. comm.).

The preference is clear water up to 8' deep, sunny conditions on the water surface, and mucky soil to anchor and nourish the root system. The water should be still or slow-moving with little exposure to high wind or waves. Fragrant Water Lily appears to favor water that is somewhat acidic, rather than calcareous and alkaline. It is able to survive quite cold winters.

Comments: There is little reference to the modern use of N. odorata for medicinal purposes. Extracts from the rhizome are purported to have astringent, demulcent, and anti-microbial properties, and may be used to treat chronic diarrhea, pharyngitis and leucorrhoea (Healthlink Online Resources). Traditionally, the rhizome of this species was used; by the Chippewa to treat sores in the mouth, by the Micmac to treat colds, coughs and grippe, and swelled limbs, and by the Ojibwa as a cough medicine for tuberculosis (Moerman).