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

[4] The strongly brittle, brownish, glabrous peduncle has five primary central and ten secondary peripheral air canals.

The outer stamens have white to yellow-green, 0.2–0.4 mm long terminal extensions of the filament.

The apex and base is cream-coloured, while the remaining parts display a reddish-purple colouration.

[4] Stolons were not observed, but Nymphaea vanildae reproduces vegetatively through proliferating pseudanthia.