| Nymphaea caatingae | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Subgenus: | Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis |
| Species: | N. caatingae |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea caatingae C.T.Lima & Giul. [1] | |
Nymphaea caatingae is a species of waterlily that is endemic to north-eastern Brazil. [1]
Nymphaea caatingae is an aquatic herb. [2] It has stoloniferous, subglobose tubers. The floating leaves are attached to the stem by glabrous, non-brittle, 2.3–8 mm wide, green to reddish petioles, which have two primary central air canals, as well as six smaller secondary ones. [3] The leaf blade is ovate, suborbicular to orbicular in shape and has flat and entire margins. [2] The apex of the leathery lamina is obtuse. [3]
Flowering occurs throughout the year. [3] The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface. [2] They have non-brittle, glabrous, brownish peduncles with six central primary air canals and twelve smaller secondary, peripheral ones. [3] There is an abrupt transition from the white petals to stamens and staminodia are absent. [2] The ellipsoid, ruminate, pilose seeds have trichomes arranged in interrupted, longitudinal lines. [2]
Proliferating pseudanthia are present, [2] which enable rapid vegetative reproduction under volatile environmental conditions. [4] Stolons are produced as well, but the proliferating pseudanthia are the main mode of vegetative propagation. [3]
The nocturnal, protogynous flowers last for two days. Autogamy does not occur. Fruit set has only been observed after cross pollination. [3]
It was first described by C.T.Lima and Ana Maria Giulietti in 2021. [1]
The type specimen was collected by C.T. Lima on the 13th of December 2009 in the municipality Itaberaba on the road to Ipirá in the state of Bahia, Brazil. [3]
It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis. It is morphologically closest to Nymphaea vanildae . [3]
In the Caatinga, it grows in temporary ponds, and in stagnant water. [3] It is endemic to Brazil and occurs in the Caatinga, as well as the Atlantic rainforest. [2]