American White Waterlily

Nymphaea odorata

"Nymphaea odorata", also known as the American white waterlily, 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 to northern Canada. It is also reported from Brazil and Guyana.
Fragrant Waterlily - Nymphaea odorata Note how oddly blue the water appears. I'm not sure why - maybe just from the reflection of the sunlight... American white waterlily,Geotagged,Nymphaea odorata,Summer,United States,fragrant waterlily,water lily,water-lily,waterlily

Appearance

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.
Water lily bog A lovely moment in time from a day spent in the Pine Barrens one hot and sunny summer a few years ago. Looking out over a lily bog with pine forest behind. The predominant species in this bog was Nymphaea odorata, but I also saw the yellow lily, Nuphar variegatum. 

The Pine Barrens is a heavily forested area of coastal plain covering more than seven counties in New Jersey. 

Despite the heat, it was a great day filled with wonderful flora and fauna encounters. American white waterlily,Geotagged,North America,Nymphaea odorata,Pine Barrens,United States,Water Lily,bog,lake,new jersey,scenery,summer,water

Naming

* "Nymphaea odorata" subsp. "odorata"
⤷  "Nymphaea odorata" subsp. "tuberosa"

References:

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderNymphaeales
FamilyNymphaeaceae
GenusNymphaea
SpeciesN. odorata