Yellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lily
Nuphar lutea

Family: Nymphaeaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 0

Where it is found

Deep, slow moving or still water to a depth of 3metres.

Europe, including Britain, to N. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

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

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

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

Anaphrodisiac: Reduces sexual desire.

Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.

Antiscrophulatic: Counteracts scrofula. (TB, especially of the lymph glands)

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Cardiotonic: A tonic for the heart.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

Vasoconstrictor: Narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure.

Other

Rating:

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

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

Propagating it: 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. Division in May. Each portion must have at least one eye. Submerge in pots in shallow water until established.

Best place to grow: Pond;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Water

Things to keep in mind

There are a number of reports that the plant is edible but one report suggests that the plant is poisonous without giving further details.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Nymphaea lutea.