This aquatic species is widespread across North America, mostly in somewhat oligotrophic waters. Various segregates recognized to the north, west and south. Also, some cultivars and hybrids have been introduced for ornamental use in ponds. The native versus planted status of some records is uncertain; some ponds with colls. were clearly artificial. A coll. from GRAN (KNK) has been identified as the sterile hybrid with the southern species, N. mexicana Zucc. (X thiona Ward); see notes in FNA 3. With chemistry including diverse phenolics and benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, Nymphaea has much traditional use for food and medicine (Moerman 1998, Lim 2016).