Ovary partially inferior , with curved finger-shaped stigmas. Flowers open near noon and close late afternoon for 2 consecutive days. Stigmas are receptive to insect pollination the first day. Anthers shed pollen the second day. Closed flowers submerge to develop fruits.
Mature leaves decay rapidly during the cool season.
Still or slow moving shallow waters in lakes, ponds, streams, canals, and ditches. San Joaquin Valley. Seed disperses by floating. Seed does not survive drying and must be submerged to germinate. Fragrant waterlily grows in acidic to alkaline waters and has rhizomes that can tolerate some desiccation.