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Fragrant Water Lily

Nymphaea odorata

CommonPlant
Illustration of Fragrant Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata)

Fragrant Water Lily produces large, multi-petaled white flowers with a sweet fragrance in summer, floating on round green pads across ponds and quiet lakes. It is one of North America's most beloved aquatic plants. Bees and beetles pollinate the flowers, and the seeds, leaves, and rhizomes are eaten by a variety of aquatic wildlife.

Habitat
Ponds, slow streams, and lakes with muddy bottoms across North America
Diet
Flowers visited by bees and beetles; seeds and rhizomes eaten by waterfowl and beaver
How common
Common

Best time to see a Fragrant Water Lily

The best time to see a Fragrant Water Lily is June–August, when about 65% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 24,328 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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