Nuphar
A genus of aquatic herbs with temperate to subarctic distribution.
Nuphar is a genus of aquatic, perennial herbs belonging to the water-lily family, Nymphaeaceae. These plants are found across the Northern Hemisphere, from temperate zones into the subarctic. They go by several common names: in Eurasia they are often called water-lilies (a name shared with other genera in the same family), while in North America they are known as pond-lilies, alligator-bonnets or bonnet lilies, and spatterdock.
The plants grow from branching rhizomes that lack stolons and bear noticeable leaf scars. Adventitious roots emerge from the sides and underside of the rhizome. The leaves are heterophyllous—they can be submerged, floating, or held above the water. Leaf shapes vary widely, including ovate, elliptic, orbicular, linear, obovate, or lanceolate forms. The leaf margins are entire, though submerged leaves may have a crisped edge. The petioles are long, flattened, winged, or cylindrical, and may be either hairy or smooth.
Flowers are solitary, nearly spherical, open during the day, and are held on stalks that may be smooth or hairy; they either float or rise above the water. Typically, there are 5 to 9 persistent sepals (sometimes up to 12), which can be yellow, green, or red, and are oblong, obovate, or orbicular in shape. The numerous petals are oblong to spatulate, inconspicuous, and hidden by the sepals. Stamens are yellow or red, with strap-like filaments that curve backward when the pollen is released. The pollen grains are monocolpate, measuring 40–71 μm long and 30.4–60 μm wide. The gynoecium consists of 4 to 36 fused carpels. The fruit is ovoid to urn-shaped, 0.5 to 5 centimeters wide, borne on straight stalks, and contains smooth seeds without an aril, each up to 6 millimeters long.
The genus *Nuphar* was first published by James Edward Smith in 1809, with *Nuphar lutea* as the type species. Several synonyms exist, including *Nymphona*, *Nenuphar*, *Nymphozanthus*, and *Ropalon*. The genus is divided into two sections: the autonymous *Nuphar* sect. *Nuphar* (type species *N. lutea*) and *Nuphar* sect. *Astylus* (type species *N. advena*), established by Donald Jay Padgett in 1999.
The number of species within the genus remains under debate. Until the mid-20th century, some botanists considered the genus to contain just one variable species (with the European *N.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Nuphar
- Type Species
- Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm.
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The genus Nuphar was published by James Edward Smith in 1809, with the type species Nuphar lutea. It has several synonyms, including Nymphona, Nenuphar, Nymphozanthus, and Ropalon. The genus is divided into two sections: the autonymous section Nuphar sect. Nuphar, and section Nuphar sect. Astylus, published by Donald Jay Padgett in 1999. The number of species is still under review; some botanists historically treated the genus as a single variable species, while others accepted about a dozen. Recent molecular work has shown substantial differences between Eurasian species (sect. Nuphar) and American species (sect. Astylus), except for North American N. microphylla, which clusters with Eurasian species. This has forced an increased number of recognised species, with some sources listing about seventy. The Kew Gardens plant list includes over twenty accepted species, subspecies, and varieties, with a similar number unresolved and over twenty synonyms.
Reader's Guide
Nuphar species are perennial, heterophyllous herbs growing from branching rhizomes that bear conspicuous leaf scars. The leaves have entire margins, though submerged leaves may be crisped. Flowers are solitary, subglobose, diurnal, and floating or emergent, with 5–9 (up to 12) persistent sepals that are yellow, green, or red. The petals are inconspicuous and hidden by the sepals. The fruit is ovoid to urceolate, 0.5–5 cm wide, bearing smooth seeds up to 6 mm long. The genus occurs in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, growing in water up to 5 meters deep. Different species are adapted to nutrient-rich or nutrient-poor waters. Nuphar can grow temporarily in the absence of oxygen, and oxygen-containing air can flow through young leaves, the rhizome, and exit through older leaves. Some species cover the water surface completely, blocking light and killing other plants. They also produce alkaloids that are allelopathic in experiments. Birds such as ducks eat the seeds, and mammals such as beaver and coypu eat the roots. Deer eat flowers and young leaves. Flowers are pollinated by flies, bees, and beetles. Uses by indigenous peoples include cooking young shoots and leaves (though they may be too bitter), and popping or cooking ripe seeds, which are nutritious but labor-intensive to harvest. The leaves have been used for tanning and dyeing leather, and as a styptic. Alkaloids in the genus include nupharolutine, nuphamine, and nupharidine, which have drawn interest for their biological and pharmacological significance.
Did You Know?
- The type species is Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm., the yellow water-lily.
- The seed anatomy of the fossil genus Notonuphar closely resembles that of Nuphar, and both are thought to be sister genera.
More in Aquarium and Aquatic Plants, Part 2 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced