Algae and Plants
41
Nuphar variegata (Engelm. ex Durand)
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Common name: Variegated pond lily,
yellow pond lily.
Distribution: Native to much of Canada
and the northernmost United States.
Habitat: Lakes or ponds, rivers, or
streams.
Description: Leaves of this species are
oval to heart shaped, 10–25 cm long,
and about two-thirds as wide, with a
rounded tip and deep cleft at the base;
the lobes at the base are rounded and
about half as long as the rest of the blade.
Leaf stalks are flattened on one side,
and are narrowly “winged.” Leaves are
flat and float on the surface. A single
flower of 2.5–5 cm across is seen on a
stout stalk rising above the water. Flowers are globular, typically with three
round bright yellow petals that may be
green on the outer surface near the base,
and dark red on the inside near the base,
with three smaller green sepals separating the petals. Roots of this species are
edible (Minnesota Wildflowers.info).
Nutritional Facts
Proximate Composition (% DM)
Protein
Ash
Fiber
15.70
0.96
23.13
Minerals (% or mg/100 g DM)
Ca
(%)
P
(%)
K
(%)
Na
(%)
Mg
(%)
Fe
(mg)
Mn
(mg)
Mo
(mg)
0.52 0.23 1.62 0.508 0.151 583
115 10.2
Source: Data from Linn et al. (1975).