Nymphaea potamophila is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Venezuela to northern Brazil.[1] Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Colombia.[2][3]
| Nymphaea potamophila | |
|---|---|
| |
| Preserved herbarium specimen of Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema in the collection of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. potamophila
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema[1]
| |
| |
| It is native to Venezuela and northern Brazil[1] | |
Description edit
Vegetative characteristics edit
Nymphaea potamophila is an aquatic herb. The elliptic-sagittate, papery leaf blades of floating leaves are up to 20 cm long and 10 cm wide.[4] The leaf margin is entire and flat.[5] The adaxial surface is coloured in green with overlaying patterns of red variegation. The abaxial surface has a greenish base colour accompanied by dark red variegation, but also exhibits patterns of branched, rusty-brown striations.[4] The leaf structure is compact and the leaves are very thin (145.50 μm). This gives the leaves cold tolerance.[6] The glabrous, 3 mm wide petioles are very long and can exceed 4 m in length.[4]
Generative characteristics edit
The nocturnal floating flowers are connected to glabrous, 4 mm wide peduncles, which can exceed 4 m in length.[4][7]
Cytology edit
The chloroplast genome size is 159,232 bp.[8] The chromosome count is unknown.[7]
Reproduction edit
Vegetative reproduction edit
Proliferating pseudanthia are not formed in this species.[5][7]
Generative reproduction edit
High levels of both pollen viability and seed production are evident in Nymphaea potamophila. Sexual reproduction plays a significant role in this species.[4][7]
Habitat edit
It can be found in the aquatic habitats of the Amazon Rainforest,[5] where it can grow along river margins in up to 4-5 m deep water.[7][4]
Taxonomy edit
Type specimen edit
The type specimen was collected in Brazil by a team of scientists consisting of J. Ramos, C.D. Mota, L.A. Maia, and E. Soares on the 28th of June 1979.[4][9]
Placement within Nymphaea edit
Conservation edit
The conservation status of this species in Brazil has not yet been evaluated.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Atuesta-Ibargüen, D. J. (2019). Composición florística y formas de vida de las macrófitas acuáticas de la serranía de La Lindosa (Guaviare), Guayana colombiana - Floristic composition and life forms of aquatic macrophytes of serrania La Lindosa (Guaviare), Colombian Guiana. Caldasia, 41(2), 301–312. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26680473
- ^ GBIF, Global Biodiversity Information Facility. (n.d.). Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://www.gbif.org/species/3697289
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wiersema, J. H. (1984). "A new species of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) from the Amazon Basin." SIDA, Contributions to Botany, 195-198.
- ^ a b c d Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.). Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/consulta/ficha.html?idDadosListaBrasil=86095
- ^ Yang, K. (2022). "Leaf Anatomic Structure and Cold Tolerance Evaluation of 6 Nymphaea Species." Plant Gene and Trait, 13.
- ^ a b c d e Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112.
- ^ a b Sun, C., Chen, F., Teng, N., Xu, Y., & Dai, Z. (2021). "Comparative analysis of the complete chloroplast genome of seven Nymphaea species." Aquatic Botany, 170, 103353.
- ^ Nymphaea potamophila | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/281440-2