Taxon: Nymphaea odorata Aiton

Summary

Genus:

Nymphaea

Subgenus:

Nymphaea

Section:

Nymphaea

Family:

Nymphaeaceae

Nomen number:

410492

Place of publication:

Hort. kew. 2:227. 1789

Verified:

04/02/1998 ARS Systematic Botanists.

Accessions:

2 (1 active, 0 available) in National Plant Germplasm System. (Map it)

Other conspecific taxa

Nymphaea odorata Aiton subsp. odorata (1 active accession[s])
Nymphaea odorata Aiton subsp. tuberosa (Paine) Wiersema & Hellq. (0 active accession[s])

Autonyms (not in current use), synonyms and invalid designations

Heterotypic Synonym(s)
Nymphaea maximiliani Lehm.
Nymphaea rosea Raf.

No images

Conservation Status

Reference(s)

University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)
APHIS. Agricultural Risk Management System United States Department of Agriculture.
Botanical Society of the British Isles. BSBI taxon database (on-line resource).
Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1975. Aquatic and wetland plants of southwestern United States, 2 vols.
Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama archipelago.
Duke, J. A. et al. 2002. CRC Handbook of medicinal herbs
Funk, V. et al. 2007. Checklist of the plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 55:1-584.
Gleason, H. A. & A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, ed. 2
Godfrey, R. K. & J. W. Wooten. 1979-1981. Aquatic and wetland plants of southeastern United States, 2 vol.
Jardín Botánico Nacional. 1998-. Flora de la República de Cuba
León (J. S. Sauget) & Alain (E. E. Liogier). 1946-1969. Flora de Cuba
Liogier, H. A. 1984-. Descriptive flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands.
Lot, A. et al. 1999. Catálogo de angiospermas acuáticas de México. Cuad. Inst. Biol. 33:99.
McGuffin, M., J. T. Kartesz, A. Y. Leung, & A. O. Tucker. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2 American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Nelson, C. H. N. 2008. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares de Honduras Note: Secretaría de Recursos Naturales y Ambiente, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
Personal Care Products Council. International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient
Porcher, M. H. et al. Searchable World Wide Web Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (MMPND) (on-line resource).
Radford, A. E. et al. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas.
Ricketson, J. 1995. Nymphaeaceae Waterlily family. J. Arizona-Nevada Acad. Sci. 29:27-28.
Schneider, E. L. & T. Chaney. 1981. The floral biology of Nymphaea odorata (Nymphaeaceae). SouthW. Naturalist 26:159-165.
Scoggan, H. J. 1978-1979. The flora of Canada, 4 vol.
Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
Steyermark, J. A. 1977. Flora of Missouri.
Voss, E. 1972-. Michigan flora.
Wanderley, M. G. L., ed. 2001-. Flora fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo
Wiersema, J. H. & J. L. Reveal. 1991. (1002-1003) Proposals to reject two 1788 Thomas Walter names of American waterlilies (Nymphaeaceae). Taxon 40:514. Note: lectotypify
Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
Wofford, B. E. Database of Tennessee vascular plants (on-line resource).
Woods, K. et al. 2005. Pattern of variation and systematics of Nymphaea odorata: I. Evidence from morphology and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs). Syst. Bot. 30:471-480. www.aspt.net/systematic-botany
Woods, K. et al. 2005. Pattern of variation and systematics of Nymphaea odorata: II. Sequence information from ITS and trnL-trnF. Syst. Bot. 30:481-493. www.aspt.net/systematic-botany

Common names

Language	Name	Alternate name	note	seq	Citation
English	fragrant water-lily			1	Botanical Society of the British Isles. BSBI taxon database (on-line resource).
Swedish	doftnäckros			2	Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson. 2012. Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource)

Distribution

order_code	Status	Continent	Subcontinent	Country	State	Note	Reference
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	New Brunswick		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Newfoundland and Labrador		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Nova Scotia		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Ontario	s.	Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Prince Edward Island		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Eastern Canada	Canada	Québec	s.	Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Illinois		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Iowa		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Kansas		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Minnesota		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Missouri		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Nebraska		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Oklahoma		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	North-Central U.S.A.	United States	Wisconsin		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Connecticut		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Indiana		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Maine		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Massachusetts		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Michigan		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	New Hampshire		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	New Jersey		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	New York		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Ohio		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Pennsylvania		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Rhode Island		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	Vermont		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northeastern U.S.A.	United States	West Virginia		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Northern Mexico	Mexico	Durango		Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
1	Native	Northern America	South-Central U.S.A.	United States	Texas		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Alabama		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Arkansas		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Delaware		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	District of Columbia		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Florida	http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=2277	Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Georgia		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Kentucky		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Louisiana		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Maryland		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Mississippi		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	North Carolina		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	South Carolina		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Tennessee		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southeastern U.S.A.	United States	Virginia		Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Ciudad de México		Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Hidalgo		Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
1	Native	Northern America	Southern Mexico	Mexico	Michoacán de Ocampo		Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
1	Native	Northern America	Western Canada	Canada	Manitoba	s.e.	Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Southern America	Caribbean	Bahamas			Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama archipelago.
1	Native	Southern America	Caribbean	Cuba			León (J. S. Sauget) & Alain (E. E. Liogier). 1946-1969. Flora de Cuba
1	Native	Southern America	Caribbean	United States	Puerto Rico		Liogier, H. A. 1984-. Descriptive flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	El Salvador			Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Honduras			Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.
1	Native	Southern America	Central America	Nicaragua			Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
4	Naturalized					natzd. elsewhere
4	Naturalized	Southern America	Northern South America	Guyana			Funk, V. et al. 2007. Checklist of the plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 55:1-584.

Native
Northern America

EASTERN CANADA: Canada [Québec (s.), Nova Scotia, Ontario (s.), Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador]
WESTERN CANADA: Canada [Manitoba (s.e.)]
NORTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut]
NORTH-CENTRAL U.S.A.: United States [Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Illinois, Oklahoma, Wisconsin]
SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida (http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/main.asp?plantID=2277), Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Tennessee]
SOUTH-CENTRAL U.S.A.: United States [Texas]
NORTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Durango]
SOUTHERN MEXICO: Mexico [Ciudad de México, Hidalgo, Michoacán de Ocampo]

Southern America

CARIBBEAN: Bahamas, Cuba, United States [Puerto Rico]
CENTRAL AMERICA: Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador

Naturalized

REGION:

Southern America

NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: Guyana

Reference(s)

Correll, D. S. & H. B. Correll. 1982. Flora of the Bahama archipelago.
Funk, V. et al. 2007. Checklist of the plants of the Guiana Shield (Venezuela: Amazonas, Bolivar, Delta Amacuro; Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana). Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 55:1-584.
León (J. S. Sauget) & Alain (E. E. Liogier). 1946-1969. Flora de Cuba
Liogier, H. A. 1984-. Descriptive flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands.
Novelo, A. & J. Bonilla-Barbosa. 1999. Nymphaeaceae. In: Rzedowski, J. & G. Rzedowski, eds., Flora del Bajio y de regiones adyacentes. 77:9-11.
Stevens, W. D. et al., eds. 2001. Flora de Nicaragua. Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 85(1-3).
Wiersema, J. H. 1997. Nymphaea. In: FNA Editorial Committee, Flora of North America.

Economic Uses

Usage	Type	Note	Reference
Medicines	folklore		McGuffin, M., J. T. Kartesz, A. Y. Leung, & A. O. Tucker. 2000. Herbs of commerce, ed. 2 American Herbal Products Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Medicines	folklore		Duke, J. A. et al. 2002. CRC Handbook of medicinal herbs

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2026. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
URL: https://npgstest.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=410492. Accessed 10 May 2026.