The yellow water-lily is a widely distributed plant in Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. It grows in slow, calm waters, such as lakes, swamps, and rivers with little current. In Macedonia, this plant can be found in Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa, where the situation with its populations is extremely worrying. It is known for its large, bright yellow flowers, which only open during the day, and for its leaves that appear on the surface of the water.