Classification
Nymphaea (Egyptian lotus) is not related to the Chinese and Indian lotus of genus Nelumbo. But it is closely related to Nuphar, another genus commonly called "lotus". In Nymphaea, the flower petals are much larger than the sepals, whereas in Nuphar the petals are much smaller than its sepals. The fruit maturation also differs, with Nymphaea fruit sinking below the water level immediately after the flower closes, whereas Nuphar fruit are held above water level to maturity.
Read more about this topic: Nymphaea