''Nymphaea odorata'', also known as the American white waterlily, fragrant water-lily, beaver root, fragrant white water lily, white water lily, sweet-scented white water lily, and sweet-scented water lily, is an aquatic plant belonging to the genus '' Nymphaea''. It can commonly be found in shallow lakes, ponds, and permanent slow moving waters throughout North America where it ranges from

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

to northern

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

. It is also reported from

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

and Guyana. Nymphaea odorata 12032012

Description

This plant is rooted from a branched rhizomes which gives rise to long petioles which terminate in smooth floating leaves. Since the leaves are subject to tearing by water and waves, they are round with a waxy upper coating that is water-repellent. The flowers also float. They are radially symmetric with prominent yellow stamens and many white petals. The flowers open each day and close again each night and are very fragrant. Once the flowers are pollinated, the developing fruit is pulled back under water for maturation. Plant systematists often use it as a typical member of Nymphaeaceae, which (other than Amborella) is the most basal of the flowering plants. It is cultivated in aquatic gardens as an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that ...

Chemistry

The

lignans The lignans are a large group of low molecular weight polyphenols found in plants, particularly seeds, whole grains, and vegetables. The name derives from the Latin word for "wood". Lignans are precursors to phytoestrogens. They may play a role ...

nymphaeoside A and icariside E, and the flavonols kaempferol 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside ( afzelin), quercetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside (

quercitrin Quercitrin is a glycoside formed from the flavonoid quercetin and the deoxy sugar rhamnose. Austrian chemist Heinrich Hlasiwetz (1825-1875) is remembered for his chemical analysis of quercitrin. Occurrence Quercitrin is a constituent of the ...

), myricetin 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranoside (

myricitrin Myricitrin is a plant compound, the 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside of myricetin. Occurrences It can be isolated from the root bark of ''Myrica cerifera'' (Bayberry, a small tree native to North America), in '' Myrica esculenta'', in '' Nymphaea lotus ...

quercetin 3-O-(6'-O-acetyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside Quercetin is a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group of polyphenols. It is found in many fruits, vegetables, leaves, seeds, and grains; capers, red onions, and kale are common foods containing appreciable amounts of it. It has a bitter flavor ...

myricetin 3-O-beta-d-galactopyranoside Myricetin is a member of the flavonoid class of polyphenolic compounds, with antioxidant properties. Common dietary sources include vegetables (including tomatoes), fruits (including oranges), nuts, berries, tea, and red wine. Myricetin is struct ...

and myricetin 3-O-(6'-O-acetyl)-beta-d-galactopyranoside can be found in ''N. odorata''.

Subspecies

* ''Nymphaea odorata'' subsp. ''odorata'' * ''Nymphaea odorata'' subsp. ''tuberosa''

Uses

The fragrant water-lily has both medicinal and edible parts. The seeds, flowers and rhizomes can all be eaten raw or cooked. The root can be boiled to produce a liquid which can be gargled to treat sore throats or drunk to treat diarrhea. The rhizomes were also used by Native Americans to treat coughs and colds. The stem can be placed directly on teeth to treat a toothache. The muck-submerged stems are eaten by muskrats.

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment
{{Taxonbar, from=Q635853 odorata Flora of North America Flora of South America Freshwater plants