Nymphaea mexicana
What is Yellow Water Lily (Mexican Water Lily)?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Oval-shaped
- Up to 9 inches wide
- Fleshy
- Bright-green on top
- Purple or deep-red on bottom
Flowers:
- 2.36-3.94 inches wide
- Sepals are sword-shaped
- Usually has about 25 petals
- Bright yellow in color
- Elliptical or sword-shaped
Fruit:
- Berry
- Egg-shaped
- 0.78-1 inches long
Seeds:
- 0.16-0.2 inches in diameter
Roots:
- Looks like they’re covered in warts
Where Does it Grow?
Yellow water lily can be found in lakes, ponds, and slow streams.
Pros and Cons of Yellow Water Lily
Deer occasionally consume the leaves of yellow water lilies; while ducks consume the seeds and roots, as do muskrats, nutria, and other rodents. 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.