Abstract: Morphological studies indicate that the family Nymphaeaceae,also called paleoherbs,possess many primitive characters.Recent phylogenetic analyses indicate that this family are some of the basalmost taxa among the extant angiosperms,which implies their important value for study of the origin and early evolution of angiosperms(flowering plants).The circumscription and systematic position of Nymphaeaceae have been disputed for a long time.The origin and radiation of angiosperms have long been hot issues attracting botanists.This paper reviews the research history and recent advances related to this family.