Nymphaea harleyi is a species of waterlily endemic to Brazil.

[1] Nymphaea harleyi is an aquatic herb[2] with cylindrical tubers, which are not stoloniferous.

[2] The 9.3−15.2 cm long and 6.5−10 cm wide leaf blades are attached to 2−4 mm wide petioles with four major, two medium, and 8 minor peripheral air canals.

[2] The flowers have peduncles with five primary central and ten secondary peripheral air canals.

[3] The specific epithet harleyi honours Prof. Dr. Raymond M. Harley of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.