'''''Nymphaea''''' {{IPAc-en|n|ɪ|m|ˈ|f|iː|ə}} is a [[genus]] of [[hardiness (plants)|hardy]] and tender [[aquatic plant]]s in the family [[Nymphaeaceae]]. The genus has a [[cosmopolitan distribution]]. Many species are cultivated as [[ornamental plant]]s, and many [[cultivar]]s have been bred. Some taxa occur as [[introduced species]] where they are not native,<ref name=fna>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=122531 ''Nymphaea''.] Flora of North America.</ref> and some are [[weed]]s.<ref name=jeps>[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=8797 ''Nymphaea''.] The Jepson eFlora 2013.</ref> Plants of the genus are known commonly as '''water-lilies''',<ref name=fna/> also styled '''water lilies''' and '''waterlilies'''.<ref name=itis>[http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18383 ''Nymphaea''.] Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).</ref> The genus name is from the [[Greek language|Greek]] νυμφαια, ''nymphaia'' and the [[Latin]] ''nymphaea'', which mean "water-lily" and were inspired by the [[nymph]]s of [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Roman mythology|Latin mythology]].<ref name=fna/>