Family: Nymphaeaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 510 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Nymphaea
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to W. Himalaya, NW. Africa
Description
The White water-lily, known scientifically as Nymphaea alba, is a stunning aquatic plant that has captivated the admiration of people across Europe, Western Himalaya, and Northwest Africa. Described in Linnaeus’s monumental work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant belongs to the Nymphaeaceae family.
Characterized by its beautiful, large white flowers that float serenely on the surface of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams, Nymphaea alba is a true spectacle in the natural world. The blossoms, perfectly circular in shape, emit a subtle yet enchanting fragrance that can be detected from a distance. Each flower emerges from the water on a long, slender stalk, opening up to reveal a multitude of pristine white petals enhanced by a central cluster of golden-yellow stamens.
The vegetative parts of the White water-lily are equally fascinating. The large, round leaves, known as lily pads, provide the necessary support for the flowers. These leaves are leathery and float on the water surface, serving as platforms for various aquatic creatures to rest upon. The undersides of the leaves are usually purplish-red, adding a contrasting hue to the vibrant greenery around.
Nymphaea alba thrives in a wide range of freshwater habitats and plays a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem. The presence of these water-lilies indicates a healthy aquatic environment, as they help in oxygenating the water and providing shelter and breeding grounds for numerous aquatic animals. The extensive root system of the plant stabilizes the underwater sediment, reducing erosion and improving water clarity.
This plant’s ethereal beauty and ecological importance make it a cherished species for nature enthusiasts, botanists, and aquatic gardeners alike. Whether found in the languid waters of Europe, the towering landscapes of the Western Himalayas, or the diverse ecosystems of Northwest Africa, the White water-lily remains an emblem of natural elegance and environmental harmony.
Common Names
Eng: european white waterlily, white water-lily, european white water-lily, waterlily
Dan: hvid nøkkerose, hvid åkande
Spa: nenufar blanco
Deu: weisse seerose, weiße seerose
Nor: hviit nøkkeblomster, hviit vassgaas, vass-rose
Fra: nymphéa blanc, nénuphar blanc
Fin: valkolumme
Swe: valkolumme, vit näckros, sydnäckros
Nld: witte waterlelie
Nob: hvit nøkkerose, (rød nøkkerose)
Nno: kvit nøkkerose, kvit nykkerose
Sme: stuorraloppan
Cym: ala y dŵr, alaw, alaw y llyn, bwltis, godywydd, lili ddŵr wen, lili gwyn y dŵr, lili-ddŵr wen, magwyr wen
Ita: ninfea commune
Gla: duilleag-bhàthte, duilleagan-bàthte
En: White water-lily, European white waterlily, European White Water-Lily, သွာ၊ တၞံ, Waterlily, White Pond-lily
Ar: نيلوفر أبيض
Hy: Ջրաշուշան սպիտակ
Az: Ağ suzanbağı
Eu: Nenufar zuria
Be: Гарлачык белы
Bg: Бяла водна лилия
My: ကြာညို
Ca: Nenúfar blanc, Carabassera d’aigua, Nimfea blanca
Zh: 白睡莲
Cs: Leknín bílý
Da: Hvid Nøkkerose, Hvid åkande
Nl: Witte waterlelie
Et: Valge vesiroos
Fi: Lumme, Valkolumme, Isolumme
Fr: Nymphéa blanc, Nénuphar Blanc, Grand Nénuphar, Lis d’eau, Lis des étangs, Lys d’eau, Lys des étangs, Rose des eaux
Gl: Tapadeira
De: Weiße Seerose, Weisse Seerose
He: נימפאה לבנה
Hu: Fehér tündérrózsa, Fehér tavirózsa
It: Ninfea comune, Ninfea Commune, Ninfea bianca
Kk: Ақ тұңғиық
Lt: Paprastoji vandens lelija
Mk: Бел воден лилјан
Se: Stuorraloppan
No: Hvit nøkkerose, Kvit nøkkerose, Hviit nøkkeblomster, Hviit vassgaas, Vass-rose
Nb: Hvit nøkkerose, (rød nøkkerose)
Nn: Kvit nøkkerose, Kvit nykkerose
Fa: نیلوفر آبی سفید
Pl: Grzybienie białe
Pt: Ninfeia branca
Ro: Nufăr alb
Ru: Кувшинка белая
Gd: Duilleag-bhàthte, Duilleagan-bàthte
Sr: Бели локвањ
Sk: Lekno biele
Es: Nenúfar blanco europeo, Nenufar blanco, Adarga, Hierba de escudete, Higos de río, Nenúfar blanco, Ninfea, Rosa del amor
Sv: Vit näckros, Valkolumme, Sydnäckros
Zh-tw: 白睡蓮
Te: తెల్ల కలువ
Zh-hant: 白睡蓮
Tr: Beyaz nilüfer
Uk: Латаття біле
Cy: Alaw, Ala y Dŵr, Alaw y Llyn, Bwltis, Godywydd, Lili Ddŵr Wen, Lili Gwyn y Dŵr, Lili-Ddŵr Wen, Magwyr Wen
Fy: Wite Wetterleelje
Synonyms
- Nymphaea candida f. biradiata ((Sommerauer) Lindstr.)
- Nymphaea alba var. biradiata ((Sommerauer) Hartm.)
- Leuconymphaea alba ((L.) Kuntze)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Azores (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- China North-Central (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Aug 18, 2017 by Max (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2008 by Michael Bien (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2020 by frederico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 22, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2019 by L’H (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2017 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 7, 2019 by Kaufman Alex (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Jul 20, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 9, 2022 by jonawel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2021 by samnuman (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2019 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 6, 2022 by Pavel Veselý (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 30, 2019 by Kate Senatskaya (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Manuel Hernández (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 1, 2019 by Halbe Rudolf (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2019 by Jennifer Curtis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 10, 2019 by Ullrich Wolfgang (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2882437)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:171158-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nymphaea alba L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 5