[6][7] Woolly waterlilies occur naturally across south and east Asia, including India, S. China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam; across Malesia including New Guinea; across northern and eastern Australia and the Pacific Islands.

[6][7] In Australia they grow naturally in wetlands in northern WA, NT, Qld, NSW and Vic.

The foliage grows upright in tufts up to 80 cm (2.6 ft) high, from short–creeping and branching stems rooted in the mud.

The stems grow up taller than the leaves, becoming green and woolly spikes up to 2 m (6.6 ft) high.

As the spike grows, each successively mature bud's bract reflexes, opening the flower inside and subtending it, holding its delicate yellow 'petals' on display.