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American white water-lily

How to identify American white water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)

American white water-lily, also known as Fragrant water-lily, Beaver root, Alligator bonnet, Sweet-scented white water-lily

American white water-lily flourishes in still waters, typically requiring depths between 3 inches to 3 feet (7.5 cm to 91 cm). It thrives in substrates ranging from sandy loam to mucky soil and can spread considerably, reaching 2 to 20 feet (60 cm to 6 meters) in width. This plant prefers full sunlight but can endure partial shade. Its distinct feature includes fragrant, prominent blooms, coupled with large, decorative lily pads. American white water-lily is known to produce plantlets that remain attached to the parent, ensuring growth continuity.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify American white water-lily

1

Fragrant, prominent white blooms in cup shape, 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) wide.

2

Large, decorative round lily pads, 10 inches (25 cm) across, bright green upper surface.

3

Globular, spongy berry, 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) diameter, green to yellow-green color.

4

Seeds with ovoid shape, small, and firm texture, released by detached berries.

5

Prefers depths of 3 inches to 3 feet (7.5 cm to 91 cm) in soil ranging from sandy loam to muck.

American white water-lilyAmerican white water-lilyAmerican white water-lilyAmerican white water-lilyAmerican white water-lily

Detailed Traits of American white water-lily

Leaf Features

The leaves of american white water-lily are round and measure approximately 10 inches (25 cm) across. The upper surface is bright green, providing a vivid and fresh appearance, while the underside exhibits a reddish or purplish hue. The texture is smooth, with a prominent midrib and radiating veins that contribute to its structural integrity. These leaves float on the water's surface, supported by their buoyant nature. Their coloration and sizable diameter make them easily identifiable among aquatic plants.

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Flower Features

The flowers of american white water-lily are noted for their striking appearance and fragrance. They feature pure white petals arranged in a cup shape and span 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) across. At the heart of the flower lies a cluster of vibrant yellow stamens. These flowers emit a strong, pleasant fragrance and flourish from June to September, making them a visual and olfactory delight in their blooming season.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of american white water-lily is a globular, spongy berry that ripens submersed in early fall. It typically measures about 0.8 to 1.2 inches (2 to 3 cm) in diameter. This capsule-like berry showcases a green to yellow-green color and is densely packed with numerous seeds. The seeds are small and exhibit an ovoid shape with a firm texture. As a distinctive feature, the berry detaches from the parent plant to release the seeds, which can float for some time due to the lightly air-filled aril that constitutes part of the seed coat.

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American white water-lily and Their Similar Plants

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Dwarf white water lily vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Dwarf white water lily may be known as the dwarf waterlily, but that doesn’t take away from its stunning beauty. Its small size only enhances the dark green leaves and brilliant white flowers. At night, it’s an unforgettable sight to see the flowers floating across the pond.
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Waterlilies 'James Brydon' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Unlike most varieties of water lily, the waterlilies 'James Brydon' can thrive in partial shade and shallow water. Waterlilies 'James Brydon' is also one of the hardiest varieties of water lily. Its cup-shaped flowers are a vibrant red hue that grow 10 to 13 cm across. The foliage is also notable for emerging first as burgundy before turning green.
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Waterlilies 'Wanvisa' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Considered unique for its half-red and half-green lily pads and peachy-pink flowers, the waterlilies 'Wanvisa' derives from an N. Joey Tomocik pond in Thailand. Gardeners may consider the waterlilies 'Wanvisa' useful in water gardens as it is easy to care for and offers ornamental interest. The word Wanvisa signifies a day of celebration for Buddha, and it was the day of the new plant's first bloom.
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Waterlilies 'Charles de Meurville' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Waterlilies 'Charles de Meurville' is a waterlily cultivar that produces large, red-pink flowers with bright orange stamens. The central petals are darker, while the outer petals are paler. The cultivar is commonly used for medium-sized to large ponds. It is prized for its multicolored blooms, free-flowering habit, and hardiness.
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Waterlilies 'Marliacea Carnea' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Waterlilies 'Marliacea Carnea' is a hardy aquatic perennial known for its large, pastel pink flowers that float gracefully on the water's surface. This water lily has rounded, deep green leaves creating a lush backdrop for the delicate blooms. The plant thrives in still or slow-moving waters, basking in full sunlight. Enriched by the surrounding water, waterlilies 'Marliacea Carnea' adds serene beauty to ponds and water gardens.
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Waterlilies 'Attraction' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
A hybrid waterlily, the waterlilies 'Attraction' variety spreads its leaves about 1.2 m wide and has large, vibrant red flowers. It's a hardy variety that can grow in part shade. The plant makes a lovely addition to ponds and is particularly good as a cut flower in a vase. 
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Waterlilies 'Marliacea Chromatella' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
Waterlilies 'Marliacea Chromatella' is a hardy and shade-tolerant day-blooming waterlily with olive-green foliage marked with purple. The blooms are yellow and bloom profusely over a long season. The name refers to Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac, a French attorney and this waterlily's hybridizer. It has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
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Waterlilies 'Pygmaea Helvola' vs. American white water-lily: What's The Difference?
A miniature hardy yellow water lily, the waterlilies 'Pygmaea Helvola' flowers throughout its blooming season. It is the child cultivar of the Nymphaea mexicana Zucc and Nymphaea tetragona Georgi. Due to its small size, the waterlilies 'Pygmaea Helvola' can be utilized in small backyard water gardens and will provide many showy blooms that will last multiple days.
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Key Facts About American white water-lily

Attributes of American white water-lily
Plant Height
2.5 m
Spread
60 cm to 1.2 m
Leaf Color
Green
Purple
Lavender
Flower Size
10 cm to 15 cm
Flower Color
White
Pink
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of American white water-lily

Species
American white water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)
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Distribution Map of American white water-lily

American white water-lily is naturally found in eastern and southern parts of North America. It has since been introduced to various other regions, encompassing parts of Europe, South America, and even Australia. American white water-lily also finds a place in cultivation beyond its original habitat, composing a part of aquatic gardens and cultivated water bodies worldwide.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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