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Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata
Nymphaea odorata Aiton ssp. odorata
American White Waterlily
Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Castalia lekophylla, Castalia minor, Castalia odorata, Castalia reniformis, Nymphaea minor, Nymphaea odorata var. gigantea, Nymphaea odorata var. godfreyi, Nymphaea odorata var. minor, Nymphaea odorata var. rosea, Nymphaea odorata var. stenopetala, Nymphaea odorata var. villosa
USDA Symbol: NYODO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), PR (N), CAN (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Leaves and flowers float on the surface of the water.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Pink , Orange , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Habitat: Swamp/Marsh,Bog/Fen,Fresh Water Aquatic
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Clay, Sand
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Birds, BeesConspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Propagation Material: Root CuttingsDescription: PLANTING: place the water-lily in 0.5 to 1 meter of water right into the pond or into 30 cm deep containers that will be then placed into the pond (this will facilitate divisions later on and limit spreading). Each container should hold: 2/3 good soil, 1/3 compost, 1kg bone meal. During the summer cut away old and dead leaves. After a few years division might be needed if there are fewer flowers and smaller leaves. In the spring, dig out roots and cut away all the leaves, divide all the roots keeping at least one bud per portion. Sprinkle cut section with charcoal powder. Plant in a pot on the edge of the pond - submerge 1 to 2 cm and then deeper as the plant starts growing again. Then transfer to deeper water. (Fleurbec)
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 odorata ssp. odorata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nymphaea odorata ssp. odorata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-25Research By: TWC Staff