Nymphaea (water lilies; family Nymphaeaceae) A genus of perennial, aquatic plants, found in shallow water, that have large rhizomes and peltate or cordate, usually floating leaves. The flowers are solitary, with green or coloured sepals, and 3 to many petals. The ovary is half-inferior, and the seeds have an aril. The flowers are often pollinated by beetles. Many species are cultivated, and the seeds and rhizomes can be eaten. There are 35 species, found in temperate and tropical regions of the world.

wa·ter li·ly • n. an aquatic plant (family Nymphaeaceae) with large round floating leaves and large, typically cup-shaped, floating flowers. Several genera and many species include the white-flowered fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata) of eastern North America.

water lily Any of c.90 species of freshwater plants widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions. They have leaves that float at the surface, and showy flowers of white, pink, red, blue, or yellow. Family Nymphaeaceae; genera Nymphaea, Nuphar, Nelumbo, and Victoria.