Nymphaea

Nymphaea is a plant genus in the waterlily family (Nymphaeaceae). Nymphaea leaves have a radial notch from the circumference to the petiole (leaf stem) in the center.

The ancient Egyptians revered the Nile water lilies, or lotuses as they are also called. The blue Egyptian water lily, N. caerulea, blooms in the morning and then sinks beneath the water at dusk. The white Egyptian water lily, N. lotus, blooms at night and closes in the morning. Remains of both flowers were found in the tomb of Ramesses II.

The Egyptian lotuses are distinct from the Indian lotus species of genus Nelumbo used in Asian cooking and sacred to Hinduism and Buddhism.