Nymphaea maculata, commonly known as Spotted Water Lily, is a perennial aquatic herb native to still or slow-moving freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow rivers in tropical Africa. It has subglobose rhizomes and long roots that anchor it to the muddy bottom. The floating leaves are ovate-cordate with entire margins, typically green on top with distinctive purple spots on the undersides, providing an attractive display on the water surface. The flowers, which are white or bluish-white and measure 1.2 to 3 inches in diameter, emerge above the water and bloom from February to March, adding a subtle charm to water gardens.

The Spotted Water Lily is valued for its ornamental flowers and foliage, which provide visual interest and can help shade the water, reducing algae growth. It is used in water gardens, ponds, and aquatic landscaping. It requires full sun to partial shade and thrives in warm, still or slow-moving water bodies with rich, loamy, underwater soil. While it is a beautiful addition to water features, it is potentially invasive outside its native range and can outcompete native species, so it is crucial to ensure it is not problematic in your area before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0