Perennial aquatic herb. Stems are rubbery and creeping. Leaves are thick, glossy and float on the water’s surface. Flowers are yellow with a purple centre, < 8 cm in diameter and borne in late summer.
To help protect our environment:
Still or flowing water bodies < 2 m deep.
Vegetative spread from root fragments and new plantlets, dispersed by water movement. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.
Aggressive coloniser that forms dense mats on water surface. Shades out submerged vegetation and restructures aquatic plant and invertebrate communities.
Do not attempt to undertake control of this species. Please report to Auckland Council.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Fringed water lily lacks the inflated mid vein and has fringed petals.
Yellow water lily has thick spongy stolons and much larger leaves.
Marshwort lacks the inflated mid vein and has fringed petals.
Mexican lily has larger leaves and lacks the inflated mid vein.
