American White Waterlily

Nymphaea odorata, also known as the American white waterlily,^[4] fragrant water-lily,^[5] beaver root, fragrant white water lily, white water lily, sweet-scented white water lily, and sweet-scented water lily,^[6] 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.^{[7][8][9][10]} It is also reported from Brazil and Guyana.^[11][12]

This plant is rooted from branched rhizomes that gives rise to long petioles that 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.^[13] 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.^[14]