Nymphaea alba - White Water-lily (Nymphaeceae)

White water-lilies, with their large, cup-shaped flowers and floating saucer-like leaves, are among the best-known of aquatic wild flowers.

White Waterlilies

There are, in fact, several other commonly seen water lilies in ponds, lakes, canals and slow-flowing streams. Some of these are escapees from garden ponds; others, like the Yellow Water-lily (Nuphar lutea) are native to Britain.

Water-lilies are normally to be seen in full bloom in summer and early autumn.