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The dwarf white waterlily (Nymphaea candida) is much more common in Estonia than the white waterlily (Nymphaea alba), but it is quite difficult to distinguish the two species.

 

Both waterlilies are freshwater plants with large, heart-shaped, floating leaves. Suitable habitats are lake shorelines and bays, ponds, river bends, old river beds. They tolerate polluted waters but need a warm aquatic habitat rich in nutrients. A siutable depth for growing is from a half to a couple of metres.

 

The flower of the white waterlily opens fully, the flower of the dwarf species stays half open, bell-shaped. The white waterlily flower opens from 7 o’clock in the morning and begins closing about 5 o’clock in the afternoon.

The dwarf waterlily opens some hours later but in cold and cloudy weather the flower bud stays closed.