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Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala
Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. ssp. polysepala (Engelm.) E.O. Beal
Rocky Mountain Pond Lily, Pond Lily, Pond-lily
Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily Family)
Synonym(s): Nuphar polysepala, Nymphaea polysepala, Nymphozanthus polysepalus
USDA Symbol: NULUP
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Pond-lily is a large-leaved, aquatic perennial with bright yellow, waxy blossoms from 3-5 in. in diameter. The leathery, round to oval leaves may be 4-12 in. long. They are usually floating but are sometimes partially or wholly submersed.
This aquatic plant (and some others, including rice) gives off alcohol instead of carbon dioxide as it takes in oxygen. This species is also known as Wakas.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Leaves and flowers usually float on the surface of the water.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Usually yellow, sometimes tinged red.
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , ID , MT , NM , NV , OR , UT , WA , WYCanada: BC
Native Distribution: AK to n. CA, e. to Alt. & CO
Native Habitat: Ponds; shallow lakes; sluggish streams
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Wet
Aquatic: yes
Soil Description: Shallow water.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Excellent cover for trout and other fish. Ducks eat the seeds.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-20Research By: TWC Staff