Water lilies, with their broad floating leaves and often vibrant blossoms, are a striking feature of many aquatic environments. They provide habitat and shade for various aquatic organisms, forming a base for the food web in their watery homes.
Mammalian Herbivores
Several mammalian species consume water lilies. Muskrats, semi-aquatic rodents, eat nearly all parts, including leaves, rhizomes (underground stems), seeds, and flowers. They often dig into the muck to access the starchy, nutrient-rich rhizomes.
Beavers also feed on water lilies, particularly their energy-rich rhizomes. While their primary diet includes woody vegetation, beavers readily consume aquatic plants during warmer months.
Deer, when in shallow water, may browse on floating leaves. They are opportunistic feeders and will consume these plants when accessible.
Moose, especially during summer, frequently feed on aquatic vegetation, including pond lilies, to obtain essential minerals like sodium. They often submerge their heads or dive to reach underwater parts.
Avian Foragers
Water lilies serve as a food source for various avian species, particularly waterfowl.
Ducks, including mallards, nibble on parts like tender new shoots, leaves, flower buds, and seeds. While not a primary food source, water lilies offer supplemental nutrition and carbohydrates.
Geese eat the seeds. Swans primarily feed on aquatic plants, including water lilies, using their long necks to reach submerged vegetation, consuming roots, stems, and nutrient-rich seeds. Coots also feed on aquatic vegetation, which can include parts of water lilies.
Aquatic Insects and Other Invertebrates
Numerous smaller aquatic creatures, including insects and other invertebrates, feed on water lilies.
The water lily beetle (Galerucella nymphaeae) and its larvae feed exclusively on foliage and flower buds. They graze on the upper leaf surface, creating elongated slots and holes, which can cause leaves to disintegrate.
Aquatic snails, such as the great pond snail, graze on water lily leaves, often leaving small, irregular holes. While many prefer decaying plant matter and algae, some varieties consume fresh lily pads.
Certain types of moth larvae, including the China mark moth (Elophila nymphaeata), also feed on water lilies. These caterpillars cut pieces of leaves to create protective shelters, often called “sandwich men” or “taco men,” while consuming the foliage.
Other invertebrates like water lily aphids suck sap from leaves and flower buds, potentially causing yellowing and distortion.