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EveryPhool
Waterlily in the Lake Meiko,Kirkkonummi Finland year 2006.

Nymphaea candida

A white-flowered water lily found in quiet Eurasian waters

Photo: Finner, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nymphaea candida is a perennial aquatic plant with floating white flowers, native to quiet waters from Europe to the Western Himalaya, including Xinjiang. Its broad leaves and showy blooms make it a choice for water gardens, though it is endangered in China and Germany.

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  • Endangered in China and Germany
  • White flowers float on still water
  • Native to Eurasia, including Xinjiang
  • Grown as an ornamental in water gardens

What does Nymphaea candida look like?

Nymphaea candida is an aquatic herb with oval to nearly round floating leaves, each up to 30 cm long and 25 cm wide, with smooth edges and a deep notch at the base. Its flowers, 5 to 15 cm across, float on the water and are made up of 12 to 20 white petals that get smaller toward the center. The flower has many stamens and a red or yellow disk in the middle. The fruit is round or oval, green to red, and contains brown seeds.

Where does Nymphaea candida come from?

This water lily grows wild in still or slow-moving freshwater habitats across Eurasia, from Europe through Siberia to the Western Himalaya, including Xinjiang. It was first described in 1882 by Carl Borivoj Presl, though sometimes Jan Svatopluk Presl is also credited. The name 'candida' comes from Latin, meaning pure white, referring to its petal color.

When and how Nymphaea candida blooms

Nymphaea candida grows only in water, such as ponds, lakes, and slow streams. It is a perennial, meaning it returns each year from its rhizome, a thick root-like stem. The plant spreads in quiet waters, with leaves and flowers floating at the surface. In gardens, it is cultivated as an ornamental for water features.

Leaf Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmünd, Lower Austria - ca. 500 m a.s.l. Habitat: pond
Leaf Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmün. Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leaf Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmünd, Lower Austria - ca. 500 m a.s.l. Habitat: pond
Leaf Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmün. Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Fruit Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmünd, Lower Austria - ca. 500 m a.s.l. Habitat: pond
Fruit Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmü. Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Seeds Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmünd, Lower Austria - ca. 500 m a.s.l. Habitat: pond
Seeds Taxonym: Nymphaea candida ss Fischer et al. EfÖLS 2008 ISBN 978-3-85474-187-9 Location: Brabergteich, district Gmü. Photo: Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How Nymphaea candida is used

People grow Nymphaea candida mainly for its attractive white flowers in water gardens. It is valued for its beauty and ability to cover the water surface with foliage and blooms. There are no traditional uses or religious associations noted in the sources.

Kinds of Nymphaea candida

Nymphaea candida belongs to the section Nymphaea within its genus. The sources do not mention named varieties or cultivars, but it is part of a group of white-flowered water lilies.

What Nymphaea candida means

Nymphaea candida is endangered in China and Germany, making its conservation important in those regions. Its pure white flowers are reflected in its Latin name, but there are no specific cultural or symbolic meanings recorded in the sources.

Where Nymphaea candida is used and seen

Orto botanico di PalermoA historic botanical garden and research centre in Palermo, Sicily

Questions people ask about Nymphaea candida

Where does Nymphaea candida come from?

Nymphaea candida is native to quiet freshwater habitats across Eurasia, from Europe through Siberia to the Western Himalaya, including the Xinjiang region.

What does Nymphaea candida look like?

It has broad, floating leaves and white flowers 5 to 15 cm wide, with many petals and a colored disk in the center. The flowers and leaves both float on the water surface.

How is Nymphaea candida used?

It is mainly grown as an ornamental plant in water gardens, valued for its attractive floating flowers and leaves.

Is Nymphaea candida endangered?

Yes, it is listed as endangered in China and Germany, so it is at risk in those areas.

What does the name 'candida' mean?

The word 'candida' comes from Latin and means pure white, describing the color of its petals.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nymphaea candida", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryPhool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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