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Yellow water-lily

Scientific name: ​Nuphar lutea
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Other common names; Brandy bottle
Flowering time: June to September
Height: to 1.5m
Growing conditions: still or slow moving water
Nectar source for: many insects
Food source for: many birds

Description
The Yellow water-lily is a common plant of still or slow-moving water and grows in the river. It has large, lily-pad leaves that are up to 40cm across, and grows up to 3m deep; the leaves and flowers float at the surface, while the rest of the plant is submerged, growing from the mud at the bottom. It smells like the dregs of wine, hence other common names like 'Brandy Bottle'. Provides shelter for frogs and early nectar for insects. The ornamental nature of the Yellow Water-lily meant that it suffered at the hands of 18th century 'lily-scrumpers' who attempted to collect the lilies for garden ponds.
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How to identify: The Yellow water-lily has oval, leathery, floating leaves. It has yellow, cupped flowers that are borne on stalks just above the water. The White water-lily has rounder leaves and a larger, whiter flower.
How to propagate: Propagate by root cuttings, by dividing bulblets from plants and grow in watertanks. They can also grow from slices of root with buds.

Contact; Catriona Bass                               

EMAIL LONGMEAD.COUNTYWILDLIFESITE@GMAIL.COM

LONG MEAD FOUNDATION (Charity number 1196294): Email longmeadfoundation@gmail.com
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