Nymphaea alba, also named European white waterlily, is a flowering plant of the family Nymphaeaceae that grows in water from 30-150 cm deep. It roots in the mud at the bottom of large ponds and lakes. The circular floating leaves are dark green on the upper surface, and reddish below. The large, beautiful flowers also float; the petals are white, often with a pinkish tinge, and the stamens are bright yellow.
The Latin name of this plant has reference to the nymphs, beautiful fairylike goddesses in Greek mythology that dwelled in natural locations, such as rivers, lakes and streams.