Plants in the nymphaeaceae (water lily) family are aquatic, with floating leaves, and emergent or floating flowers, on stems that are anchored by roots in the soil. Leaves are variable; alternate or opposite, entire or lobed, with pinnate or palmate veins, while flowers are usually large and often brightly coloured, formed of up to 12 sepals and a greater number of petals, in several rows. There are two species in the UK.
