FAMILY — NYMPHAEACEAE
Aquatic perennial plants with thick rhizomes and typically floating, long-petioled leaves. The flowers are solitary, regular, and with free petals. There are 4–5 sepals and numerous petals. The stamens are abundant, and the ovary is superior, with a fleshy fruit.
All species contain alkaloids. The seeds and rhizomes are rich in starch.
WHITE WATER-LILY, WHITE LILY — NYMPHAEA ALBA L.
It grows alongside the yellow water-lily in water but differs in the shape of its leaves, which are nearly round, and in its large white flowers. A mixture of alkaloids has been found in the rhizomes and flowers, and their hypotensive effect has been established.
