The Fragrant White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) is a found in shallow ponds and marshes of North America. And, while commonly called a lotus, the White Water Lilies are in a different genus from the idyllic and symbolic Chinese and Indian lotuses.
The Fragrant White Water Lily has large white or pink floating flowers and round floating leaves that are deeply cut. The flowers open in the morning and close by noon. They are fragrant -- hence the name.
Most of the plant lives underwater. It has branched rhizomes that produce long stems that connect with the floating leaves. The leaves are protected with a water-repellent waxy coating. The stems contain channels that allow for gas exchange between the leaves and the rhizomes.
