Nuphar microphylla is a perennial,[2] rhizomatous, aquatic[3] herb[4] found in North America.

[5] Nuphar microphylla is a perennial,[2] rhizomatous, aquatic[3] herb[4] with 1–2 cm wide rhizomes.

[10] The small,[11] yellow to green,[7] 1–2 cm wide flowers[6] float on the water surface.

[4] It is a parent species of the natural hybrid Nuphar × rubrodisca Morong.

[17] It is susceptible to pollution,[7] e.g., by herbicides meant to combat invasive weeds.