This hardy water plant has white fragrant flowers with yellow centers which grow 6 to 12 in. across. Flowers are only open during daylight hours. Round emerald green leaves float at water level. Waterfowl and a number of mammals eat various parts of the plant and the leaves provide good cover for fish. Grass carp eat it.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Water Lily
Nymphaea odorata
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Stream Edge, Wetland
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: White
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade

Soil
Moisture
Wet, Aquatic

Nature Attracting

Wildlife Benefit
Cover

Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
1 to
inches
Spread:
6 to
9
feet
Size
Height: 1 to
inches
Spread: 6 to
9
feet
Size
Height: 1 to
inches
Spread: 6 to
9
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Use in medium to large ponds.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Plant in water up to 5 ft. deep.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.