Pygmy Waterlily

Nymphaea tetragona

Native to:
Baltic States, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Finland, Hainan, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Myanmar, Russia, Taiwan, United States, Vietnam

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Nymphaeaceae
Genus:
Nymphaea
Species:
Nymphaea tetragona
USDA Symbol:
NYTE

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Aquatic
Height:
10 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
white

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
waterfowl, fish, aquatic invertebrates
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, organic, waterlogged soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Typically found in shallow, still water bodies

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
Germination Time:
14–60 days
Notes:
Seeds require submersion in water and cold stratification. Germination occurs best in shallow, warm water after cold treatment.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Notes: Seeds should be kept moist and in a well-lit environment.

Source: Claude AI