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Nuphar luteum polysepalum, also known as Nuphar
polysepala, Yellow pond-lily, Indian Pond-lily, Rocky
Mountain pond-lily, Nuphar lutea polysepala; is a close
relative to the Nymphaea spp. In North America, Yellow
Pond-lily is distributed from the Black Hills of South
Dakota to Alaska, and farther south to Colorado and Utah.
It is most common in high mountain lakes and ponds in the
Rocky Mountains, and can sometimes be found up to
timberline. Yellow pond-lily, often dominates shorelines
to a water depth of about 2 meters. Native Americans also
used the Pond Lily as a source of food.
Arising out of the water in late Summer, these large,
beautiful flowers are yellow in color, but can be tinged
with tints of orange or red. These plants arise from
thick underground rhizomes or rootstocks which anchor the
plant to the bottom of a body of water. These rootstocks
are comprised of a very porous tissue that also helps the
plant to exchange gas while underwater.
The leaves are large and float on the surface of the
water. They are also heart-shaped, and can reach up to 16
inches in length. The upper surface of these leaves is
very thick and waxy, which acts to repel water off of the
upper leaf surface. The leaf petiole can grow to an
amazing 6 feet in length. The fruit is equally large and
pod-like, containing a mass of seeds.
Hardiness zones 10-11, (1°C/35°F, 4°C/40°F) in Winter.
Not very Winter hardy. Loves full sun but can grow in
partial shade. It need very high moisture. The Lotus
grows best in rich soil with 1/2 inch of rinsed gravel on
top of the soil. The pot is completely submerge in calm
freshwater.
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