Pond Lily

Did you know

• The thick, spongy rhizomes can grow over 10 feet long and were once eaten by Native Americans after extensive preparation to remove bitter alkaloids.
• Its flowers produce an alcoholic, fruity scent that attracts beetles and flies rather than bees for pollination.
• The large floating leaves can support the weight of small birds and frogs, serving as platforms in pond ecosystems.
• Seeds can remain viable in pond sediment for over 400 years, germinating when conditions change.
• In Scottish folklore, pond lilies were called 'brandy bottles' because the ripe seed pods resemble small flasks and smell of alcohol.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental water gardens
• wildlife habitat
• traditional food source
• natural pond filtration