Plant · GBIF taxon 2882422
Pygmy Water-lily
Nymphaea tetragonaAlso known as Small White Water Lily, Pygmy Waterlily, Dwarf Waterlily
Pygmy water-lilies produce diminutive, star-like white blossoms that float gently atop shallow, quiet waters alongside small notch-lobed leaves. Each blossom opens near midday and closes by late afternoon, repeating this daily rhythm over its multi-day bloom cycle. The square-shaped receptacle at the base of the flower gives this widespread cold-climate aquatic plant its botanical name.
AquaticFloweringFloating Leaves
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Water Nutrients
- Sunlight
- Carbon Dioxide
Predators
- Muskrats
- Waterfowl
- Beavers
ThreatsWetland drainage, aquatic invasive species, and water pollution
HabitatsPonds, shallow lakes, slow streams, and bogs
Life spanPerennial (5–10+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyNymphaeaceae
- SpeciesNymphaea tetragona
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Timing: Search for blooms in the early afternoon, as flowers open around noon and close by late afternoon.
- Habitat Focus: Look in quiet, nutrient-rich water bodies like bog pools, oxbow ponds, and shallow lake margins.
- Low Impact: Observe from shore or a kayak to avoid disturbing soft pond substrates and root structures.
Co-occurring Plant Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 de · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Close Relative Jacek Halicki / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "fragrant water lily" by USFWS Headquarters is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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