| Nymphaea amazonum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Subgenus: | Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis |
| Species: | N. amazonum |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea amazonum Mart. & Zucc. [1] | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Nymphaea amazonum is a species of water lily native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America. It has been introduced to Bangladesh. [1]
Nymphaea amazonum is an aquatic herb. [2] It has dark brown to black, subcylindrical rhizomes, which can reach lengths of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) and widths of 3 centimetres (1.2 in). [3] The broadly ovate-elliptic leaf blade reaches 32 centimetres (13 in) in length and 26 centimetres (10 in) in width. [4] The actinodromous venation on the abaxial side of the mature leaf features strongly prominent and rounded veins. [2] The petiole is up to 8 mm wide and exhibits a ring of trichomes towards the apex. [4]
The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface. [2] They are attached to 10 mm wide peduncles, which rarely exhibit a ring of trichomes towards the apex. [4] The floral fragrance has been characterised as very pleasant. [5] [6] [7] The fragrance is also said to resemble petrol, xylol, [3] [4] benzene, PDB, turpentine, benzol, xylene, and acetone. [4] Fruits are produced very frequently. [4] Up to 22000 seeds are found in a single fruit. [8] The ovoid seeds are 1.3 mm long and 0.9 mm wide. [3] They are smooth, pilose and exhibit trichomes in continuous longitudinal lines. [2]
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 18. [4]
Nymphaea amazonum is stoloniferous, [4] but does not produce proliferating pseudanthia. [2]
The seed dispersal is hydrochorous (i.e. water-dispersed) or ornithochorous (i.e. bird-dispersed). [9]
It was first described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1832. [1]
The type specimen was collected in Brazil. [4]
It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis. [4]
Nymphaea amazonum was sepataed into the two subspecies Nymphaea amazonum subsp. amazonum and Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii Wiersema. [4] This view was later rejected and Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii Wiersema was then treated as a separate species Nymphaea pedersenii (Wiersema) C.T.Lima & Giul. in 2021. [10]
In Puerto Rico, USA Nymphaea amazonum faces habitat destruction. [11] It is considered to be endangered (EN) in Cuba, as it faces diminishing and deteriorating habitats caused by agricultural practices, the influence of exotic flora and fauna, livestock farming, sedimentation, and pollution. [12] In the Liste rouge de la flore vasculaire de Guadeloupe of 2019, Nymphaea amazonum is listed as data deficient (DD). [13]
In the Pantanal, it can be found in permanent ponds. [14] It is also found in lagoons and canals. [15] It is found growing in mixtures of clay and sand or in sandy-quartzitic soils. [12] Rhizomes of Nymphaea amazonum can endure periods of drought in moist sediments. In the floodplains of the Amazon, it faces competition from aquatic and semi-aquatic grass species. [16]
The strong floral fragrance attracts beetles of the genus Cyclocephala . [18] The beetle species Cyclocephala castanea pollinates the flowers of Nymphaea amazonum. [17]
Nymphaea amazonum is used as a medicine and for food. [1] The rhizomes are edible. [14] It has the ability to absorb the pesticides cyhalothrin and imidacloprid from the water. [19] [20] It exhibits antimicrobial properties in the treatment of ulcers. [21] The flowers have been used in the treatment of herpes and erysipelas. [22]
It is rare in cultivation. [8]
Nymphaea is a genus of hardy and tender aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution. Many species are cultivated as ornamental plants, and many cultivars have been bred. Some taxa occur as introduced species where they are not native, and some are weeds. Plants of the genus are known commonly as water lilies, or waterlilies in the United Kingdom. The genus name is from the Greek νυμφαία, nymphaia and the Latin nymphaea, which means "water lily" and were inspired by the nymphs of Greek and Latin mythology.
Nymphaea odorata subsp. tuberosa is a subspecies of Nymphaea odorata native to the region spanning from Central and Eastern Canada, extending to North Central and Northeastern United States.
Cyclocephala castanea is a species of small beetle in the family Scarabaeidae which is native to the Amazon basin in South America. This beetle and certain others in the same genus have a commensal relationship with the large water lily Victoria amazonica. Visiting the flower for food, the beetles are trapped inside and emerge laden with pollen the following evening.
Nymphaea glandulifera is a species of waterlily native to tropical America.
Nymphaea prolifera is a species of waterlily naturally found from Mexico to Brazil and northeastern Argentina. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Uruguay.
Nymphaea gardneriana is a species of waterlily native to Cuba and tropical South America.
Nymphaea oxypetala is a species of waterlily native to Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. It is a remarkable species with excessively acuminate and acute sepals and petals.
Nymphaea rudgeana is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America.
Nymphaea tenuinervia is a species of waterlily native to Colombia, Guyana and Brazil.
Nymphaea jamesoniana is a species of waterlily native to the USA, Mexico, and tropical South America.
Nymphaea belophylla is a species of waterlily native to Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela.
Nymphaea caatingae is a species of waterlily endemic to Northeast Brazil.
Nymphaea conardii is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Southern Mexico to tropical South America.
Nymphaea paganuccii is a species of waterlily endemic to Brazil.
Nymphaea lasiophylla is a species of waterlily native to East Brazil. It has also been introduced to the Venezuelan Antilles.
Nymphaea pedersenii is a species of waterlily native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay.
Nymphaea lingulata is a species of waterlily native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Nymphaea novogranatensis is a species of waterlily native to Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Nymphaea gracilis is a species of waterlily endemic to Mexico. It is the only species of its genus which is endemic to Mexico.
Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.