Nymphaea alba
Nymphaeaceae
June to September
It is found throughout the country, but less common in
the Northeast.
See the BSBI distribution map for White Water-lily
It grows in lakes, ponds, canals and large ditches.
The red and pink varieties derive from N. alba and their
escapes are commonly seen in the wild.
White Water-lily is a native, perennial, rhizomatous, floating herb.
Flowers are white, up to 20cm, floating on the surface of the water
on stalks up to 3m long.
Flowers have between 20 and 25 petals and open mainly when
the sun is out.
There are 4 lanceolate sepals and 20-25 white petals.
They have a large number of conspicuous yellow stamens, the
outer of which have petaloid filaments.
There are 4 lanceolate sepals which are dark on the outside
and similar in colour to the petals on the inside.
Leaves are oval to round, large at up to 35cm and split to the
middle. In deeper water they float flat on the surface and in
crowded or shallow waters they may be above the water.
Other water-lilies include:
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White Water-lily on a lake, New Forest
Red variety- sepals, petals and stamens
Close-up of stamens and petaloid filaments
Perianth filaments, upper surface of sepals
Outer surface of lanceolate sepals
Pink variety amongst Marsh St. John's-wort
Leaves flat on the water surface
Leaves above water surface
Flower held above water surface
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