| Nymphaea oxypetala | |
|---|---|
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| Botanical illustration of Nymphaea oxypetala | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. oxypetala |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea oxypetala Planch. [1] | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Nymphaea oxypetala is a species of waterlily native to Bolivia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. [1] It is a remarkable species with excessively acuminate and acute sepals and petals. [2]
Unlike most other waterlilies, this species rarely produces floating leaves. The strongly reduced floating leaves are only produced very rarely. [3] The smaller floating leaves are up to 6 cm large. The purplish-green, submerged, saggitate, membranous leaves are significantly larger with up to 30 cm big leaf blades. [4] The broad submerged leaves display a likeness to the leaves of lettuce. [5] The petioles are fragile and leaves break of easily. [3]
The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface. [3] The stamens are purple. The cream-coloured, 2 cm long carpellary appendages are abruptly folded at the apex. [4] They are the longest carpellary appendages of all Nymphaea species. [3] The floral fragrance has been described as ether-like. [6]
The chromosome count of this polyploid species is 6n = 84. [7]
This species is likely not stoloniferous. [6] Proliferating pseudanthia are also lacking in Nymphaea oxypetala. [8] [9]
Flowering occurs throughout March to August. [4]
It is associated with lotic habitats, [10] These aquatic habitats are defined by the presence of moving water. [11] It occurs in floodplains, river branches and in seasonal streams. [12] In the Pantanal it occurs in the flooding area of the Paraguay River, Nabileque, Abobral and Poconé. [4] In the Bolivian Pantanal, Nymphaea oxypetala was observed growing at depths of up to 2 m in gaps amid mats of floating vegetation and in localities where human activities prevented the growth of such floating mats along the margins. [3]
The type specimen was collected by W. Jameson in March 1845 in Ecuador near Guayaquil. [6] [9]
It is placed within Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis. [13]
The specific epithet oxypetala refers to the pointed petals of this species. [4]
The conservation status in Brazil is not evaluated (NE). [8]
It is kept as an aquarium plant, as well as in small containers of water. [14] It is intolerant of cold, turbid and saline water and favours clear, slowly flowing freshwater. [6]
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 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 potamophila is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Venezuela to northern Brazil. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Colombia.
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 amazonum is a species of water lily native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America. It has been introduced to Bangladesh.
Nymphaea conardii is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Southern Mexico to tropical South America.
Nymphaea francae 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 hastifolia is a species of waterlily native to the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
Nymphaea loriana is a species of waterlily endemic to Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, Canada.
Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.
Nymphaea subg. Anecphya is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.