Nymphaea francae is an aquatic herb. It has ovoid tubers, which are not stoloniferous. The floating leaves have 5–7.2 mm wide, greenish-brown, pubescent to glabrescent petioles with four primary central, and four secondary peripheral air canals. The leaf blade is ovate and has an entire, flat margin. It has actinodromous leaf venation.
Generative characteristics
The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface. They have a pubescent to glabrescent, non-brittle, greenish-brown peduncle with six central primary and twelve secondary peripheral air canals. The petals are white.
Reproduction
Vegetative reproduction
Both stolons and proliferating pseudanthia are absent.