Fragrant waterlilies (Nymphaea odorata) are just starting to appear in our ponds. Their long-stemmed leaves – lily pads – started rising weeks ago and already appear to be attracting water lily aphids and leaf beetles. (See the image in the first Comment space.)
The white flowers of this native species usually open during sunny morning hours and are closed by mid-afternoon; they sometimes will close when a day turns very cloudy. The lily pads provide shade for fish and aquatic invertebrates, such as dragonfly nymphs. The tops of the pads become floats for frogs to loll and birds to stand, both looking for water bugs.
The fragrant water lily seeds reportedly are a favorite of ducks and other waterfowl, and their underwater stems (rhizomes) are munched by muskrats, beaver, deer, moose, and even porcupines. (Images taken in Brooklin, Maine, on June 10 [pads] and 12 [lily], 2022.)