Nuphar lutea aka Yellow Water Lily

Nuphar lutea is an aquatic plant in the waterlily family. Its common names include yellow waterlily and brandy bottle. Kew places its native range from Europe to Siberia and Xinjiang. The range also includes northern Algeria. It is native to Britain and Ireland. This plant grows in temperate regions and roots beneath fresh water. Its wild sites include deep ponds and slow-moving water.

The plant grows from rhizomes and has submerged and floating growth. Its leaves are leathery, with a slightly oval shape. They can reach about 1.3 feet (0.4 metres) across. The leaves fall at the end of the growing season. RHS gives a height range of 13–26 feet (4–8 metres). This is an aquatic size, not an upright garden canopy. Its listed spread is about 3–5 feet (1–1.5 metres). Plants take two to five years to reach their full size.

Yellow flowers form cups on stalks that rise above the water. The flowers appear from early summer into early autumn. Their scent gives the plant its name, brandy bottle. The broad leaves and raised blooms provide interest in ponds. RHS also lists it for wildlife gardens. Its water needs make it a plant for aquatic settings. It does not suit a dry border or ordinary garden bed.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. It thrives in still or slow-flowing fresh water. RHS gives a suitable water depth of 6.6–16.4 feet (2–5 metres). Clay and loam are listed as suitable rooting soils. Its H7 rating indicates tolerance of severe continental European winters. Divide plants to make new ones; they need no pruning. RHS reports few pest or disease problems. It can become a nuisance where gardeners do not manage its growth.

Plants For A Future records several food uses, alongside safety warnings. Roots, leaves, leaf stalks and seeds have been eaten cooked. Roots taste bitter, and soaking can remove that bitterness. The roots also yield starch, while ground seeds can make flour. Flowers have been used to make a drink. These records do not establish that eating it is safe. One report calls the plant poisonous without giving details. Large medicinal doses of the roots may also be toxic.