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The family Nymphaeaceae is represented by aquatic rhizomatic herbs, rooted in the substrate, with floating long petiolate leaves. Its flowers are solitary, and anthesis can be nocturnal and diurnal, pollinated by beetles. The family has six genus, of which Nymphaea and Victoria occurs in the neotropical region. Victoria predominates in the Brazilian Amazon and Pantanal and the Nymphaea is represented by 18 species distributed throughout the country. The floristic study included the analysis of specimens collected on expeditions and materials deposited in Herbariums, in a total of 69 specimens. The identification was made by consulting specific bibliography. The information obtained enabled the preparation of an identification key, illustrations of important morphological characters, significant as evidence Taxonomy, commentaries on the geographical distribution and discussion of relevant issues to taxons identification. For the state of Ceara were found six species: N. amazonum, N. pulchella, N. Jamesoniana, N. lasiophylla, N. lingulata, N. rudgeana and N. tenerinervia. The last two populations presented only in coastal environments. N. lingulata, N. pulchella and N. Jamesoniana presented records in the arid region, in interior of the State. N. amazonum and N. lasiophylla have a wide distribution, being present in the coastal zone to the interior. N. lasiophylla was the most frequent species. Knowledge about the Flora of the State of Ceara contribute to future projects for the conservation and management of temporary and permanent aquatic environments that occur in the Brazilian semiarid.