Spatterdock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spatterdock
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Genus:	Nuphar
Section:	Nuphar sect. Astylus
Species:	N. advena
Binomial name
Nuphar advena (Aiton) W.T.Aiton
Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist.
Synonyms
Nuphar lutea subsp. advena

Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".

Nuphar advena, often called spatterdock, cow lily, or yellow pond-lily, is a type of water lily. This plant is native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada, like Nova Scotia. It grows in ponds, slow-moving rivers, and wetlands.

Spatterdock looks a lot like another water lily, N. lutea, which grows in Europe and Asia. Some scientists even think they are very close relatives. However, Nuphar advena has its own unique genetic makeup. Sometimes, you might find spatterdock growing in new places, like Britain, where it has become established.

Discovering Spatterdock's Uses

For a long time, people have found different ways to use the spatterdock plant. Native American tribes, for example, used parts of the plant in their traditional practices. They discovered that both the roots and seeds could be useful.

Edible Parts of Spatterdock

The seeds of the spatterdock plant are edible. You can even grind them into a type of flour. This flour could then be used to make different foods. The roots are also edible, but they can sometimes taste very bitter. It depends on the specific plant. People would prepare the roots carefully to make them more pleasant to eat.