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Plant
Identification
Yellow Water Lily (Mexican Water Lily)
 Description Management
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Nymphaea
mexicana
Yellow water lilies are perennial
plants that arise on flexible stalks from rhizomes and large fleshy
roots that can resemble bananas. Leaves are oval heart-shape, 3 to
6 inches in diameter, shiny dark green on top and reddish-purple underneath
Leaves float on the surface and are seldom emergent. Flowers are large
(2 1/2 to 4 inches) bright yellow and usually stand above the water
on separate stalks. Yellow water lilies can reproduce from seeds or
by spreading of the rhizomes.
Submerged portions of
all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro
invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by
fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks,
etc.) After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria
and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates.
Deer occasionally consume the leaves of yellow water lilies, while
ducks consume the seeds and roots as do muskrats, nutria, and other
rodents.
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" indicates Non-Native plants.