Encyclopedia - Plants for ponds
Spatterdock (Nuphar)
Nuphar
Spatterdock (Latin: Núphar) — a genus of perennial aquatic plants of the water-lily family (Nymphaeaceae), occurring in shallow water along the shores of lakes and slow-flowing rivers or channels.
Some researchers consider the genus to be monotypic and consisting of a single polymorphic species, Nuphar lutea (yellow water-lily). Recent molecular studies indicate differences between European and American species.
These are perennial aquatic plants with a long, thick, fleshy horizontal rhizome, flattened from top to bottom, greenish above and whitish below, covered with numerous scars from fallen petioles and flower stalks. Numerous roots arise from the rhizome.
Floating on the water surface, the leaves are firm, dark green, long-petioled, entire-margined, rounded-ovate with a cordate base. Leaves that are under the water column are semi-transparent and delicate.
The flowers are large and yellow, borne on stalks that protrude above the water. The calyx consists of five yellow, bell-shaped, converging sepals. There are many petals; they are narrow, yellow, and shorter than the sepals. There are numerous stamens. The ovary is oval-conical, multi-locular with a sessile stigma. The fruit is fleshy. Seeds have an air sac, which allows them to be dispersed over long distances by water. The plant can bloom throughout the summer.
Location: requires a body of water that will be in direct sun and warm up well, but unlike some water-lilies, it can grow in flowing water in partial shade.
Soil: not very demanding, but prefers a mix of peat with humus and the addition of clay soil.
Planting: when transplanting the rhizome should remain on the surface of the substrate. It is pressed down with stones from above so that it does not float up. Planting depth: 30–60 cm (smaller species); 0.6–2 m (larger species).
Care: consists of removing old leaves. Fertilizer is applied periodically. Non-hardy species are taken into a conservatory before frost or planted in a large cold aquarium.
Propagation: by division of the rhizome in late spring or summer, and by seeds.