Weeds of Australia - Fact Sheet

Top Scientific Name Synonyms Family Common Names Origin Naturalised Distribution Notes

Scientific Name

Nymphaea mexicana Zucc.

Synonyms

Nymphaea flava Leitn. ex Audubon

Family

Nymphaeaceae

Common Names

banana water lily, banana water-lily, banana waterlily, Mexican water lily, Mexican waterlily, yellow water lily, yellow water-lily, yellow waterlily

Origin

Native to southern USA (i.e. southern Alabama, Florida, south-eastern Georgia, southern Louisiana, southern Mississippi, eastern North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas) and northern Mexico.

Naturalised Distribution

Naturalised in many parts of southern and eastern Australia (i.e. in south-eastern Queensland, in the coastal districts of central New South Wales, in Victoria and in the coastal districts of south-western Western Australia).

Also reported to be naturalised in southern Africa, New Zealand and Spain. However, in some or all cases the plants involved  may be of hybrid origin.

Notes

Yellow waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana) is regarded as an environmental weed in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia.

Note: The plant that is naturalised in Australia is more accurately described as a hybrid involving this species, rather than pure yellow waterlily (Nymphaea mexicana).