Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.
Species of Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea have horizontal or vertical rhizomes. The leaf margins are entire, sinuate or crenate, but never dentate.
The diurnal flowers float on the water surface. The outer stamens have petaloid filaments. The stamens do not have a sterile appendage at the apex. The carpellary styles are ligulate. The petals are predominantly white, but pink, red, and yellow colouration occurs as well. The large seeds have a smooth surface.
The subgenus Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea is an autonym. The type species is Nymphaea alba L.
It is divided into three sections:
Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea occurs in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.