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: Yellow Water-lily and
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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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