Florida Forest Plants

Spatterdock  (Nuphar luteum)

Spatterdock, also called cow-lily or yellow water-lily, is native to the southeastern United States. It regenerates quickly from long, spreading rhizomes and often forms mats on the water surface. The wide, floating leaves provide a sheltered spawning area for fish and aquatic invertebrates. Bonnet worms, a favorite food of bluegill and sunfish, use spatterdock as a host plant.

The plants contain tannic acid and alkaloids and are toxic to many animals. Manatees avoid spatterdock because of its toxins. The spreading plants are not effectively controlled by grass carp as are many aquatic weeds.

Spatterdock is said to have medicinal properties. The roots have been used to treat dysentery, headaches, typhoid fever, and general digestive ailments.

Spatterdock is widely distributed throughout wetlands in much of the United States, except the dryer southwestern states.



 

 

 Identifying Characteristics
Size/Form:
 Spatterdock is a submergent aquatic perennial with thick stems, spongy rhizomes, and a unique, half-opened flower.
Leaves:
 The leaves are simple, and alternately-arranged. The large, broad, heart-shaped blades are deeply-notched at the base and have rounded lobes. Leaves are thick and spongy and may either float on the surface of the water or stick up above it.
Fruit:
 The fruit is an ovoid, leathery, berry-like structure, about 2 1/2" long with many tiny seeds. It may be on an uncoiled stalk, at the water level, or sticking up above the surface. The flower is a rounded, half-open, yellowish-green blossom with many yellow stamen. It sticks up above the leaves on a tall stalk.
Bark:
 na
Habitat:
 Spatterdock grows in the muddy, silty bottoms, and shallow water of fresh water ponds, lakes ,and slow-moving streams. It may also be seen in canals and wet ditches.

Photos
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