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Wetland and Aquatic Plants of Oklahoma

Interactive Keys: Floating Leaf Plants


Waterlilies (Nymphaceae) 


White waterlily (Nymphaea odorata Ait.)
Native perennial.
                                                                                                                                                                        click thumbnails to enlarge
Nymphaea odorata map                                       Nymphaea odorata


Notes: Seeds are eaten by waterfowl.  Leaves and flowers are eaten by wildlife.  The waterlily beetle (Donacia piscatrix) feeds on white waterlily leaves and pollinate the flowers.  The tuber is very starchy, but has a high concentration of tannic acid. It is edible when boiled.  The seeds can be fried like popcorn.

NWI status: OBL       


Spatterdock (Nuphar lutea L.)
Native perennial

Nuphar lutea                                        Nuphar lutea

Notes: Seeds are of limited value to birds.  Deers often browse on the flowers and tender leaves.  Muskrat and beaver will eat the rhizome.  It is rich in tannins and has been used by humans in tanning hides. The waterlily beetle (Donacia piscatrix) feeds on and aids pollination of splatterdock.  Several varities are available to the water gardener.  Several tribes would boil the root for food. 

NWI Status: OBL


                              

Last update: 1/27/04
Comments to : Bruce Hoagland

bhoagland@ou.edu

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