Spatter-dock (Nuphar advena, Hortus Kew. 3: 295 (1811))

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Author: (Aiton) W.T.Aiton

Bibliography: Hortus Kew. 3: 295 (1811)

Year: 1811

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nuphar

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. Canada to E. Mexico, Cuba

Description

The Spatter-dock, scientifically known as Nuphar advena, is an aquatic plant that thrives in the regions extending from Southeastern Canada to Eastern Mexico, and even flourishes in Cuba. First described in the authoritative botanical reference “Hortus Kewensis” in 1811, under the editorship of William Townsend Aiton, this species has captured the interest of botanists and horticulturists for centuries.

Belonging to the family Nymphaeaceae, the Spatter-dock is a perennial plant that typically inhabits ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. The plant is known for its robust floating leaves, which are heart or oval-shaped and can reach up to 40 cm in length. The leaves rest on the water surface, creating a lush green mat that provides shelter for aquatic wildlife.

One of the most striking features of the Spatter-dock is its distinctive yellow flowers, which emerge on stiff, upright stalks above the water level. Each flower is composed of six petal-like sepals and numerous yellow petals inside, forming a globe-like appearance. These vibrant blooms are not only visually appealing but also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive process, attracting a variety of pollinators such as bees and beetles.

The plant’s rhizomatic root system anchors it to the lake or pond bed, allowing it to spread and establish dense colonies. These roots also help stabilize the sediment, preventing erosion and contributing to the overall health of the aquatic ecosystem.

The Spatter-dock serves as a vital part of its habitat, providing food and covering for numerous aquatic animals, including fish, amphibians, and insects. The plant’s presence can indicate a healthy, balanced aquatic environment, making it a valuable species for ecological studies and water garden enthusiasts.

In summary, Nuphar advena, or Spatter-dock, is a fascinating aquatic plant with a wide natural range from Canada to Mexico and Cuba. Its beautiful yellow flowers, floating leaves, and significant ecological role make it an important and interesting subject of study for botanists and nature lovers alike.

Common Names

Eng: spatter-dock, yellow pond-lily, large yellow pond-lily, broadleaf pond-lily, spatterdock
Fra: nénuphar à feuilles émergentes, nénufar à feuilles émergentes, nénuphar d’amérique
Swe: sextalig näckros
Cym: lili’r-dŵr felen ddeilsyth, lilïau’r-dŵr melyn deilsyth
En: Spatter-dock, Yellow pond-lily, Large yellow pond-lily, Broadleaf pond-lily, Spatterdock
Fr: Nénuphar à feuilles émergentes, Nénufar à feuilles émergentes, Nénuphar d’Amérique
Sv: Sextalig näckros
Cy: Lili’r-Dŵr Felen Ddeilsyth, Lilïau’r-Dŵr Melyn Deilsyth

Synonyms

• Nuphar advena subsp. typica (R.T.Clausen)
• Nuphar advena var. tomentosa (Torr. & A.Gray)
• Nuphar advena var. erythraea ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nuphar advena var. cubana (P.Ponce de León)
• Nymphozanthus fluviatilis ((R.M.Harper) Fernald)
• Nuphar advena var. minor (Morong)
• Nymphaea puberula (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nuphar ludoviciana ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nuphar microcarpa ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nenuphar advena ((Aiton) Link)
• Castalia advena ((Aiton) Conz.)
• Nymphaea fluviatilis (R.M.Harper)
• Nymphozanthus ozarkanus ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.)
• Nymphaea ovata (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nymphaea ozarkana (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nuphar lutea subsp. macrophylla ((Small) Beal)
• Nuphar tomentosa (Nutt.)
• Nuphar fluviatilis ((R.M.Harper) Standl.)
• Nuphar puteorum (Fernald)
• Nuphar advena subsp. ozarkana ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Padgett)
• Nymphaea advena subsp. erythraea (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nymphaea chartacea (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nymphaea advena var. macrophylla ((Small) G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nuphar chartacea ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nymphaea microcarpa (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nuphar puberula ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nuphar interfluitans (Fernald)
• Nymphaea macrophylla (Small)
• Nymphaea advena subsp. macrophylla ((Small) G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nymphaea advena (Aiton)
• Nuphar lutea subsp. advena ((Aiton) J.T.Kartesz & Gandhi)
• Nuphar ovata ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nymphaea arifolia (Salisb.)
• Nuphar ozarkana ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Standl.)
• Nymphaea ludoviciana (G.S.Mill. & Standl.)
• Nymphozanthus advena var. macrophyllus ((Small) Fernald)
• Nymphona advena ((Aiton) Nieuwl.)
• Nymphozanthus advena ((Aiton) Fernald)
• Nuphar lutea subsp. ozarkana ((G.S.Mill. & Standl.) Beal)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Aug 18, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/6434985)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30043701-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nuphar advena (Aiton) W.T. Aiton)

Specifications

Growth form>: Bunch

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.3

Ph minimum: 6.1