Floating Pads

american lotus

(Nelumbo lutea)

Every part of the American lotus is edible, from its large circular leaves to the tubers it develops in the fall. Each creamy yellow flower blooms for a few days in midsummer before transforming into the iconic ‘shower head’ seed pod. Then seeds drop from the pods, sink to the mud floors of slow moving waters, and germinate over the next year—or hundreds of years! It will grow from the shoreline to water 7’ deep. New plants are available from tubers after the foliage dies back in autumn.
NELU, OBL

white water lily

(Nymphaea odorata)

White water lily opens its fragrant 3”-5” flowers in the morning, attracting small native bees. Like the Yellow water lily, this species is tolerant of depths of 6” to about 6’ deep, but colonizes more slowly than Nymphaea mexicana.
NYOD, OBL

Spatterdock, or cow lily

(Nuphar lutea)

Spatterdock has heart-shaped leaves like a water lily, but unlike water lilies, its bright yellow ball-shaped flower doesn't unfurl even when it is open for business. It tolerates more shade and depth than most water lilies, too. Spatterdock can colonize, which is a good adaptation for a plant that everyone from turtles and muskrats to deer want to eat. Great habitat plant!
NULU, OBL

Yellow water lily

(Nymphaea mexicana)

Yellow water lily blooms all summer with flowers that open around noon, reminding us of teenagers who prefer to wake up at lunchtime. Also known as Banana or Mexican water lily, this species is ideal for larger bodies of water, since it will happily colonize from shoreline to about 6' water depth. It will also shine in a small pond where it can be thinned manually. Seeds and roots provide food for wildlife, and so do the blossoms, as the small native bee in this photo shows.
NYME, OBL