Spadderdock Nuphar luteum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Nuphar luteum
- Description
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The yellow water lily is an aquatic perennial plant in the water lily family (Nymphaeaceae) native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. It is found in a wide range of conditions in moving to stagnant waters of shallow lakes and ponds, ditches, streams and rivers and canals in acidic and alkaline water from sea level to 10,00 feet in altitude. The Genus name comes from the Persian word nufar. The specific epithet lutea, is Latin meaning yellow. There are 8 species in this Genus with some being native to North America.
This plant can spread up to 6 feet wide and can be 2 feet tall when in bloom. Plant in full sun to partial shade in 1 to 3 feet of water directly in the the muddy bottom or in submerged containers. It will spread by seed and it's thick spongy rhizomes.
The 1 to 2.5-inch wide yellow flower is cup-shaped, appears on tall stems above the water and blooms most of the summer. The floating leaves are up to 16 inches wide and there are smaller thin submerged leaves with wavy margins. The plant is currently being researched for medical uses.
Use this plant in a large water garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for the water lily beetle and water lily aphid.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nuphar
- Species:
- luteum
- Family:
- Nymphaeaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used medicinally and as a food source
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia.
- Wildlife Value:
- Turtles, birds, deer, moose, porcupines, and muskrats eat various parts of the plant. Water lily leaves provide a landing pad for thirsty bees while offering shelter for aquatic wildlife beneath the surface. The shade cast from the leaves also helps to prevent the growth of algae.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Ridge capsule 1 to 1.5 inches long.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1 to 2.5 yellow cup-shapped flowers on tall stem above the water. Flowers most of the summer
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leathery green elliptic to ovate leaves are 4 to 16 inches across. Smaller and thinner submerged leaves have wavy margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green flower stalks
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Frogs
- Pollinators
- Reptiles
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
