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  4. Yellow water lily
What Are Weeds?

Weed Information Sheet

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Yellow water lily

Botanical Name

Nuphar lutea

Family

Nymphaeaceae (waterlily)

Also known as

Spatterdock, cow lily, brandybottle, Nuphar luteum, Nymphaea lutea

Where is it originally from?

Northern temperate regions

What does it look like?

Waterlily growing from large, long, spongy rhizomes (up to 10 cm thick), with large (<40 cm x 30 cm), oval, heart-shaped, waxy, floating leaves and thin, lettuce-like submerged leaves. The golden yellow, alcohol-smelling, six-petalled, buttercup-like flower (<6 cm across) held above the water on a stalk, is smaller than flowers of other waterlilies. Green, flask-shaped fruit (2-3 cm long) splits open to release seeds.

Are there any similar species?

Nymphaea species (including Mexican waterlily) have rounder leaves. Marshwort (Nymphoides geminata), fringed waterlily (N. peltata) and water poppy (Hydrocleys nymphoides) have smaller leaves (<10 cm across). None of them have the distinctive large underwater stems of yellow waterlily.

Why is it weedy?

Rapid growth rate, covers waterbodies by developing a dense mat of stems.

How does it spread?

Seeds and stem fragments are carried by water, boats, fishing gear or machinery

What damage does it do?

Dense growth chokes streams, shallow ponds and lake margins, causing flooding by impeding drainage. Shades out other plants, reduces nutrient availability, and alters the habitat for other organisms.

Which habitats is it likely to invade?

Still or slow-flowing water less than 2m deep.

What can I do to get rid of it?

Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.

What can I do to stop it coming back?

Monitor the site and pull out or spray any regrowth.

Images

Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: NIWA
Photo: NIWA
Photo: NIWA
Photo: NIWA
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James
Photo: Trevor James

Download PDF Information Sheet

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  • Home
  • Weedbusters
    • Who are Weedbusters?
  • What Are Weeds?
    • Weed List
    • Controlling Weeds
      • Controlling Pest Shrubs & Trees
      • Controlling Pest Vines
      • Controlling Pest Herbs & Ground Covers
      • Controlling Pest Grasses
      • Controlling Pest Aquatic Weeds
    • Disposing of Weed Waste
    • Banned Plants
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Weedbuster
    • Weedbusters Near You
    • Weed Quiz
  • Resources
    • How to…
      • Raise Weeds Awareness
      • Organise a Weedbusters Event
    • Weedbusting Guide
    • Plant Me Instead Booklet
    • Using Weedbuster photographs
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