Uniquely identifiable characteristics : A large multi-petalled white flower with very large leaves floating upon still freshwater. Beware some coloured aquatic garden varieties.

No relation to : Fringed Water-Lily [a plant with similar name] which is yellow but is not a Water-Lily and instead belongs to the Bogbean family.

The roots of this plant yield a brown dye.

White Water-Lily contains several poisonous alkaloids: Nupharine (a cardenolide glycoside), Nymphaline, Aporphines, tannins (which account for the astringency) and some Myrcitrin (in the leaves).

A FLAVONOL & its GLYCOSIDE Myricitrin is Flavonol Glycoside based upon the flavonol Myricetin, being the 3-O-rhamnoside (or thamnoside) of Myricetin. Myricetrin was first identified in species of Myrica cerifera, the Bayberry Tree, not native to the UK, but which grows in North america. Myricetin is a flavonol flavonoid similar to Quercetin and just shown for illustration purposes. Found also in grapes, berries, fruits, herbs and vegetables it has anti-septic properties, and it was found it can also lower the incidence of prostrate cancer. Neither of these should be confused with Myristicin, a poisonous phenylpropanoid.