Nymphaea potamophila

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

Vegetative characteristics

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

The nocturnal floating flowers are connected to glabrous, 4 mm wide peduncles, which can exceed 4 m in length.[4][7]

Cytology

The chloroplast genome size is 159,232 bp.[8] The chromosome count is unknown.[7]

Reproduction

Vegetative reproduction

Proliferating pseudanthia are not formed in this species.[5][7]

Generative reproduction

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

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

Type specimen

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

It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis.[8][4]

Conservation

The conservation status of this species in Brazil has not yet been evaluated.[5]

References
  1. "Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  2. 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
  3. GBIF, Global Biodiversity Information Facility. (n.d.). Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://www.gbif.org/species/3697289
  4. Wiersema, J. H. (1984). "A new species of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) from the Amazon Basin." SIDA, Contributions to Botany, 195-198.
  5. 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
  6. Yang, K. (2022). "Leaf Anatomic Structure and Cold Tolerance Evaluation of 6 Nymphaea Species." Plant Gene and Trait, 13.
  7. Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112.
  8. 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.
  9. Nymphaea potamophila | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/281440-2
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