Nuphar pumila

Nuphar pumila
File:Nuphar pumilum2.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Genus:	Nuphar
Species:	N. pumila
Binomial name
Nuphar pumila

Nuphar pumila (the small yellow pond-lily) is an aquatic perennial plant in the Nymphaeaceae family. It is also known as least or dwarf water lily because it is the dwarf species of Nuphar lutea; while Nuphar lutea has a star-shaped form of the stigma disc and glabrous leaf undersides, Nuphar pumila has a round stigma disc and the undersides of its leaves are fine-haired. Its flowers bloom from July to August and are typically pollinated by flies.

The plant is more successful in sunny environments, predominantly in lakes, ponds and slow-flowing parts of rivers from Northern and Central Europe to Northern Asia, with a few noted habitats in North America; Nuphar pumila is considered endangered in France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Description

Nuphar pumila flowers typically have 4–6 petals, are actinomorphic, have many stamen and range from yellow to green depending on maturity. Its floating leaves are large and ovate, with pinnate venation, while the submerged leaves are smaller and round; the plant also has a thick creeping rhizome.

Distribution

Nuphar pumila can be found in Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, UK and France.

Nuphar pumila can also be found in the United States (at least Michigan's upper peninsula).

Taxonomy

The Nymphaeaceae family, also known as the water-lily family, comprises eight genera and 70 species; taxonomic synonyms include Nuphar lutea subsp. pumila, Nuphar microphylla, and Nuphar minima.

Nuphar pumila is also known as Bwlyts Lleiaf in Welsh, Konnanulpukka in Finnish, Kleine Teichrose in German, and Stulík malý in Czech.

Uses

The root can be consumed to help alleviate digestive problems or serve as a tonic.