Nuphar luteum
Yellow Water Lily
General
An obligate wetland plant found growing in water up to 3' deep. Yellow Water Lily provides shade and cover for fish and macroinvertebrates; a wide variety of wildlife and waterfowl feed on the seeds and leaves. Historically, Yellow Water Lily has been used as a food source; the tubers and seeds are both edible with preparation.
Plant Description
Broad, flat cardioid leaves float on the water's surface. Showy yellow flowers grow on thick stems that rise several inches out of the water.
Height (ft)
Underwater
Soil moisture
Water
Soil types
Muck
Wetland indicator
OBL
Shade tolerance
Intolerant, Full Sun
Bloom color
Yellow
Bloom period
Spring to Fall
Drought tolerance
Intolerant
Salinity tolerance
None
Range
Throughout North America, all of the United States and Canada as well as Alaska. Also native in Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Kartesz, J.T. 2024. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP) [website http://bonap.org/]
Additional Information
According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, this plant's root stock can be harvested in the winter/spring and boiled for several hours which can then be eaten after peeled. The rootstocks could also be dried and ground into a flour. The seeds could also be heated slightly like popcorn and eaten. However, some reports are that the plant is not edible except for the seeds.