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Nuphar lutea - (L.)Sm.

Common Name Yellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lily
Family Nymphaeaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards There are a number of reports that the plant is edible but one report suggests that the plant is poisonous without giving further details[19].
Habitats Deep, slow moving or still water to a depth of 3metres[19, 100].
Range Europe, including Britain, to N. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Water Plants Semi-shade Full sun
Nuphar lutea Yellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily,  Varigated yellow pond-lily


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Nuphar_lutea0.jpg
Nuphar lutea Yellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily,  Varigated yellow pond-lily

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Nuphar lutea is a PERENNIAL.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Nymphaea lutea.

Habitats

 Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed
Edible Uses: Drink

Root - cooked[2, 46, 61, 177, 183]. An edible starch can be extracted from the root[183]. A possible emergency food[61]. The root has a bitter flavour - this bitterness can be removed by leaching the root in water[K]. Leaves and leaf stalks - cooked[2, 177, 183]. Seed - cooked[105]. It can be ground into a powder and used in making bread and porridge, or for thickening soups etc[207]. The seed can also be parched, when it swells considerably but does not burst like popcorn[183]. It is then normally eaten dry[207]. A refreshing drink is made from the flowers[2, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anaphrodisiac  Anodyne  Antiscrophulatic  Antispasmodic  Astringent  Cardiotonic  Demulcent  Hypotensive  
Sedative  Vasoconstrictor

The roots are anaphrodisiac, anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[4]. Caution should be exercised because large doses are potentially toxic[222]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of 'sexual irritability', blood diseases, chills etc[4, 222]. The root is poulticed and applied to swellings, inflammations, cuts etc[4, 222]. The root contains steroids and is a folk remedy for infertility[222]. Alkaloids in the root are reportedly hypotensive, antispasmodic, cardiac, tonic and vasoconstrictor[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A water plant requiring a rich soil and a sunny position[1, 56]. Succeeds in light shade[200]. It is best grown in still water up to 250cm deep but it also tolerates slow moving water[200]. Prefers shallow water[1]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. The flowers have a sickly scent[188]. The flowers have a brandy-like scent[245]. This unique smell is due to a combination of acetic acid and ethyl alcohol to form ethylacetate[245].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse in pots submerged under 25mm of water. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and grow them on in water in a greenhouse for at least two years before planting them out in late spring. The seed is collected by wrapping the developing seed head in a muslin bag to avoid the seed being lost. Harvest it 10 days after it sinks below the soil surface or as soon as it reappears[200]. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established[56].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Nuphar advenaCommon Spatterdock, Yellow pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lilyPerennial0.0 3-7  LMHSNWa320
Nuphar japonicum Perennial0.0 5-9  LMHSNWa31 
Nuphar polysepalaSpatterdock, Rocky Mountain pond-lilyPerennial1.8 4-8  LMHSNWa31 
Nuphar pumilaYellow pond-lilyPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHSNWa31 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Sm.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Robert Gergulics   Sat Apr 11 2009

Photos Here. www.photorobg.com

www.photorobg.com

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Subject : Nuphar lutea  
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