Yellow Water Lily is a native aquatic plant of the southern United States and Mexico, producing bright, canary-yellow flowers that stay open longer than most water lilies. It has floating, oval to nearly circular leaves with mottled markings on the upper surface. Found in still to slow-moving water in ponds, lakes, and ditches from Florida to Texas and into Mexico, it spreads by rhizomes and can form large colonies. It is a beautiful native alternative to exotic water garden plants in warm climates.
Best time to see a Yellow Water Lily
The best time to see a Yellow Water Lily is April–July, when about 66% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 450 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Yellow Water Lily? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Yellow Water Lily sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spot a Yellow Water Lily? Identify it instantly.
Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.
Get HuckGet an alert when a Yellow Water Lily is spotted
Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.
Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.
Love plants? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.