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We have three "lily pad" species very commonly growing on Otter Lake. Compared to the White water lily and the Yellow pond lily, the Water shield is little known and its flower far less colourful.
Water Shield is pollinated by the wind in a very unusual process. Individual flowers are open for a two-day period. On the first day the flower is open it is functionally female, with the stigmas receptive to pollen. At the end of the first day the flower is drawn below the water’s surface. On the second day the flower again extends above the water’s surface and the anthers release their pollen. The flower is then pulled below the water’s surface again and the fruit develop. (Ref. NC State Extension )