Nuphar microphylla

Small Yellow Water Lily

NATIVE TO MAINE

Habitat: Small yellow pond lily is found in the floating leaved plant community. It is usually found in shallow depths, in less than 1 meter of water.

Description: Small yellow pond lily is a floating leaved plant. It has small leaves (3.5 to 10 cm long) that are heart-shaped and deeply notched. (The notches may extend more than half way down the midrib.) The leaves arise on slender stems from thick, spongy rhizomes. The yellow flowers are small (1 to 2 cm in diameter) with a flat red disk supporting the stigmas at the center.

Origin and Range: Small yellow pond lily is native to northeastern U.S. and eastern Canada and is relatively uncommon in Maine.

Annual Cycle: Small yellow pond lily reproduces vegetatively by rhizome and by seed. Flowers are produced from mid-summer to early fall. This species is known to hybridize with another Maine native water lily, Nuphar variegata.

Value to the Aquatic Community: Small yellow pond lily provides food for wildlife including waterfowl. The leaves offer habitat and shade to fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Look Alikes: May be confused with European frogbit, yellow floating heart, little floating heart, watershield, spatterdock, and fragrant water lily.