Nymphaea gracilis

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Nymphaea gracilis
The waterlilies (Plate 6) (7060872775).jpg
Nymphaea gracilis as Nymphaea flavovirens
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Subgenus: Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras
Species:
N. gracilis
Binomial name
Nymphaea gracilis
Zucc. [1]
MEX orthographic.svg
Nymphaea gracilis is endemic to Mexico [1]
Synonyms [1]
  • Castalia gracilis (Zucc.) Rose
  • Leuconymphaea gracilis (Zucc.) Kuntze
  • Castalia flavovirens (Lehm.) Knowlt.
  • Leuconymphaea tussilagifolia (Lehm.) Kuntze
  • Leuconymphaea undulata (Lehm.) Kuntze
  • Nymphaea flavovirens Lehm.
  • Nymphaea tussilagifolia Lehm.
  • Nymphaea undulata Lehm.

Nymphaea gracilis is a species of waterlily endemic to Mexico. [1] It is the only species of its genus which is endemic to Mexico. [2]

Contents

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Nymphaea gracilis has very short, subglobose rhizomes densely covered with fibrous roots. The petiolate, glabrous, orbicular floating leaves [3] with dentate margins are 35–40 cm long, and 28–35 cm wide. [4] The adaxial leaf surface is bright green, and the abaxial leaf surface is suffused with purple colouration. [3] The terete, 1.2 cm wide petiole is 60–150 cm long. [5]

Generative characteristics

The flowers are 8–10 cm wide, [4] and extend up to 20–40 cm above the water surface. They have four lanceolate, green sepals and 18-20 white sepals. The androecium consists of 60 stamens. [2] The gynoecium consists of 12-15 carpels. [5] The globose 2–3.5 cm wide fruit bears arillate seeds with a reticulate testa, and trichomes. [2] The flowers are fragrant. [2]

Cytology

Generative reproduction

Nymphaea gracilis is facultatively xenogamous. [6]

Taxonomy

Publication

It was first described by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1832. [1] [7]

Placement within Nymphaea

It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Brachyceras. [8]

Etymology

The specific epithet gracilis means thin, slender or graceful. [9] [10] [11]

Conservation

It is considered to be in danger of extinction. [12] [13] [2]

Ecology

Habitat

It grows in canals, [14] swamps, shallow ponds,dams, and lakes. [12]

Pollination

The three most important pollinators of Nymphaea gracilis [6]
Apis mellifera (52848692477).jpg
Apis mellifera
Allograpta obliqua 339643309.jpg
Allograpta obliqua
Asemosyrphus polygrammus - inat 3346164.jpg
A member of the genus Asemosyrphus (Asemosyrphus polygrammus)

The flowers attract flies and bees. The bee species Apis mellifera is the most important pollinator of Nymphaea gracilis, followed by the fly species Allograpta obliqua , and Asemosyrphus sp. [6]

Use

The rhizomes are eaten both by humans and livestock. [12] [2]

Cultivation

Flower of a hybrid of Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea and Nymphaea gracilis The American florist - a weekly journal for the trade (1892) (17935397530).jpg
Flower of a hybrid of Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea and Nymphaea gracilis

It has been used in artificial hybridisation to create new waterlily cultivars. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Nymphaea</i> Genus of aquatic plants

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.

<i>Nuphar lutea</i> Species of flowering plant

Nuphar lutea, the yellow water-lily, brandy-bottle, or spadderdock, is an aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, native to northern temperate and some subtropical regions of Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia. This species was used as a food source and in medicinal practices from prehistoric times with potential research and medical applications going forward.

<i>Nymphaea mexicana</i> Species of aquatic plant

Nymphaea mexicana is a species of aquatic plant that is native to the Southern United States and Mexico as far south as Michoacán. Common names include yellow water lily, Mexican water lily and banana water lily.

<i>Nymphaea odorata <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> tuberosa</i> Species of plant

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.

<i>Nymphaea rudgeana</i> Species of water lily

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.

<i>Nymphaea amazonum</i> Species of water lily

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.

<i>Nymphaea lasiophylla</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea lasiophylla is a species of waterlily native to East Brazil. It has also been introduced to the Venezuelan Antilles.

<i>Nymphaea heudelotii</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea heudelotii is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from tropical West Africa to Uganda and Botswana.

Nymphaea × thiona is a species of waterlily native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Additionally, it has been introduced to Costa Rica, as well as the US-American states Kentucky, and Nevada. It is a natural hybrid of Nymphaea mexicana and Nymphaea odorata.

<i>Nymphaea <span style="font-style:normal;">×</span> daubenyana</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea × daubenyana is a species of waterlily endemic to Chad, but has been introduced to Florida, USA. It is a natural hybrid of Nymphaea micrantha and Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea.

Nymphaea guineensis is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from tropical West Africa to Chad.

Nymphaea maculata is a species of waterlily native to tropical Africa.

<i>Nymphaea rubra</i> Species of water lily

Nymphaea rubra is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Sri Lanka and northeastern India to western and central Malesia. Additionally, it has been introduced to regions such as Southeast China, Cuba, Guyana, Hungary, and Suriname.

Passiflora aurantioides is a species of passion flower native to the region from the Maluku Islands, Indonesia, to Papuasia and Queensland, Australia.

Barclaya motleyi is a species of perennial aquatic plant native to the region spanning from Thailand to Western Malesia, and New Guinea.

Nuphar ulvacea is a species of rhizomatous aquatic plant native to the US-American states Alabama and Florida.

Nuphar ozarkana is a species of aquatic plant native to the US-American states Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

Nuphar orbiculata is a species of rhizomatous aquatic plant native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

<i>Nymphaea <span style="font-style:normal;">subg.</span> Brachyceras</i> Subgenus of flowering plants

Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nymphaea gracilis Zucc". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sandoval-Ortega, M. H. (2020). "Contribución al conocimiento de Nymphaea gracilis Zucc. en Aguascalientes, México." Tecnociencia Chihuahua, 14(1), 561-561.
  3. 1 2 Zuccarini, J. G. (1832). Plantarum novarum vel minus cognitarum descriptio, fasc. I. Abhandlungen Der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe Der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 1, 362–363. http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft.date=1832&rft.spage=362&rft.volume=1&rft_id=http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/10920&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:book&url_ver=z39.88-2004
  4. 1 2 Henkel, F., Rehnelt, F., Dittmann, L., Dittman, L. (1907).  "Das buch der Nymphaeceen oder Seerosengewächse." pp. 59-60. Deutschland: F. Henkel.
  5. 1 2 Conard, H. S. (2015). The Waterlilies: A Monograph of the Genus Nymphaea (Classic Reprint). pp. 137-139. USA: FB&C Limited.
  6. 1 2 3 Zepeda-Gómez, C., Cruz-Muciño, E., Burrola-Aguilar, C., & Estrada-Zúñiga, M. E. (2020). "Floral biology, floral visitors, and reproductive system of Nymphaea gracilis Zucc.(Nymphaeaceae)." Botanical Sciences, 98(4), 499-515.
  7. ↑ Nymphaea gracilis | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/171186-2
  8. ↑ Borsch, T., Löhne, C., & Wiersema, J. (2008). "Phylogeny and evolutionary patterns in Nymphaeales: integrating genes, genomes and morphology." Taxon, 57(4), 1052-4E.
  9. ↑ Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.-b). Deutzia gracilis  - Plant Finder. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=v560
  10. ↑ Drakaea gracilis Hopper & A. P. Br. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://eol.org/pages/5950126/articles
  11. ↑ Passiflora gracilis | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia. (n.d.). Passiflora. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.passiflora.it/gracilis/319/eng/
  12. 1 2 3 Lot, A., Novelo, A. (2004).  "Iconografía y estudio de plantas acuáticas de la ciudad de México y sus alrededores." pp. 128-129. Mexiko: UNAM. Instituto de Biología.
  13. ↑ CONABIO. (n.d.). Ninfa cabeza de negro (Nymphaea gracilis). EncicloVida. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://enciclovida.mx/especies/166039-nymphaea-gracilis
  14. ↑ Cordova, C. E. (2022).  "The Lakes of the Basin of Mexico: Dynamics of a Lacustrine System and the Evolution of a Civilization." p. 69. Deutschland: Springer International Publishing.
  15. ↑ Kilbane, T. (n.d.). August Walking Tour – Water Gardens. Denver Botanic Gardens. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.botanicgardens.org/blog/august-walking-tour-water-gardens-1
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