zanzibariensis is a variety of the water lily species Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f.

naturally found in the region stretching from Southeastern Kenya to Southern Africa, including the Comoros and Madagascar.

Its flower has dark blue to violet color and consists of 4-5 sepals and 13-15 petals.

The round leaves are green on the top and have bluish-violet underside.

In addition it even keeps flowering when the temperatures drops to 18 C. It has been used to create several cultivars and hybrids.