I found this Spatterdock, or Cow Lily (Nuphar lutea), rhizome floating in the lake after our spring storm. It shows perfectly how the entire plant structure is composed. While out kayaking, we often find pieces of Spatterdock rhizomes that have been part of a muskrat meal, with no leaves or flower stalks connected to it. And then when we see the leaves and flowers, they're up at the surface, and the rhizomes are buried in sediment. This one has it all!
I kept the plant contained in lake water for a few days, and was pleased to see how it had developed a week later, with its leaves unfurling beautifully.
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