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Marcus, Joseph A.

Nymphaea mexicana

Nymphaea mexicana Zucc.

Yellow Waterlily, Yellow Water-lily, Banana Lily, Banana Waterlily, Sun Lotus

Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily Family)

Synonym(s): Castalia flava

USDA Symbol: NYME

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (I)

An aquatic plant with bright yellow flowers and floating leaves.

The lovely flowers are open from midday to late afternoon. When the plants are crowded, the leaves may rise above the water. The plant was first discovered in Mexico, which accounts for the species name. It is also known as the Sun-lotus or Banana Water-lily.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Leaves floating. Flowers floating or rising up to about 6 inches above the surface of the water.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , OK , SC , TX
Native Habitat: Quiet water, ponds, ditches.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Aquatic: yes
Conditions Comments: An aquatic plant with bright yellow flowers and floating leaves. The lovely flowers are open from midday to late afternoon. When the plants are crowded, the leaves may rise above the water. The plant was first discovered in Mexico, which accounts for the species name.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL		OBL		OBL	OBL				OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Nymphaea mexicana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Nymphaea mexicana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nymphaea mexicana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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