Yellow Water Lily, Yellow pond-lily, Rocky Mountain pond-lily, Varigated yellow pond-lily

Nuphar lutea

Physical Characteristics

Nuphar lutea is a PERENNIAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies, beetles. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.

Distribution

Europe, including Britain, to N. Asia.

Habitats

Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Seed Edible Uses: Drink Root - cooked[2, 46, 61, 177, 183]. An edible starch can be extracted from the root[183]. A possible emergency food[61]. The root has a bitter flavour - this bitterness can be removed by leaching the root in water[K]. Leaves and leaf stalks - cooked[2, 177, 183]. Seed - cooked[105]. It can be ground into a powder and used in making bread and porridge, or for thickening soups etc[207]. The seed can also be parched, when it swells considerably but does not burst like popcorn[183]. It is then normally eaten dry[207]. A refreshing drink is made from the flowers[2, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Anaphrodisiac Anodyne Antiscrophulatic Antispasmodic Astringent Cardiotonic Demulcent Hypotensive Sedative Vasoconstrictor The roots are anaphrodisiac, anodyne, antiscrofulatic, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent and sedative[4]. Caution should be exercised because large doses are potentially toxic[222]. A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of 'sexual irritability', blood diseases, chills etc[4, 222]. The root is poulticed and applied to swellings, inflammations, cuts etc[4, 222]. The root contains steroids and is a folk remedy for infertility[222]. Alkaloids in the root are reportedly hypotensive, antispasmodic, cardiac, tonic and vasoconstrictor[222].

Known Hazards

There are a number of reports that the plant is edible but one report suggests that the plant is poisonous without giving further details[19].