Waterlilies

Nymphaea spp.

Weed Description
Aquatic perennials with floating leaves and showy flowers. Waterlilies occur in ponds, lakes, and marshes, and are often cultivated and sold for ornamental uses in home ponds.

Leaves
The leaves are floating, circular in outline, approximately 6 to 12 inches wide. The leaves are usually green above and purple-tinged below, with one central cleft that cut to the center of the leaf where the petiole attaches to the leaf. The lobes of this cleft are pointed. Leaves occur on petioles that may reach 6 feet in length.

Flowers
Individual flowers are floating and showy, usually white and yellow in color, but other cultivated forms have pink or purple flowers. Each flower may be from 3 to 5 inches wide.

Roots
Stout rhizomes are rooted below.

Identifying Characteristics
Aquatic perennials with large floating leaves that are circular in outline with a central cleft and pointed lobes. Additionally, the large, showy flowers helps to distinguish these species from most other aquatic plants. The waterlilies are somewhat similar to Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) in appearance, however watershield is generally smaller and does not have a distinctive cleft like the waterlilies. The waterlilies may also be confused with the floating-hearts (Nymphoides spp.), however the floating-hearts have rounded lobes and much smaller, less showy flowers.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Waterlilies

Nymphaea spp.