| Nymphaea pulchella | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. pulchella |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea pulchella | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Nymphaea pulchella is a species of waterlily native to the regions spanning from Central and Southern Mexico to Brazil, as well as from the Bahamas to the Virgin Islands, including St. Croix. [1]
Nymphaea pulchella is an aquatic herb [2] with cylindrical to subglobose tubers. [3] The elliptic, suborbicular to orbicular leaves have a sinuate to dentate margin. [4] The veins show minimal prominence on the abaxial leaf surface. [5]
The diurnal flowers can extend up to 20 cm above the water surface. [4] They are held up by glabrous, brownish, non-brittle peduncles with six primary central and 12-13 secondary peripheral air canals. [3] The androecium consists of 43-80 stamens. [3] The ellipsoid, smooth, hispid seeds have trichomes arranged in continuous longitudinal lines. [4]
It is autogamous, but reproduction is more fruitful in the presence of pollinators. [6] Flowering and fruiting occurs throughout the year. Generative reproduction is the main mode of reproduction. [3]
It was first described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1821. [1] [5]
The specific epithet pulchella means "beautiful" or "pretty". [8] [9]
In Puerto Rico, USA, it faces habitat destruction. [10]
It occurs in freshwater habitats, such as lakes, ponds, [11] lagoons, [10] streams, and temporary puddles. [2]
The bee species Trigona spinipes is an effective pollinator of Nymphaea pulchella. In some cases, the bees coated in pollen fall into the stigmatic fluid and die. [6] [3] The flowers are also visited by the bee species Apis mellifera , as well as flies. [3]
The bee species Trigona spinipes is florivorous, i.e. it consumes parts of the flowers of Nymphaea pulchella. [6]
Trigona spinipes is a species of stingless bee. It occurs in Brazil, where it is called arapuá, aripuá, irapuá, japurá or abelha-cachorro ("dog-bee"). The species name means "spiny feet" in Latin. Trigona spinipes builds its nest on trees, out of mud, resin, wax, and assorted debris, including dung. Therefore, its honey is not fit for consumption, even though it is reputed to be of good quality by itself, and is used in folk medicine. Colonies may have from 5,000 to over 100,000 workers.
Nymphaea glandulifera is a species of waterlily native to tropical America.
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 francae is a species of waterlily endemic to Brazil.
Nymphaea harleyi is a species of waterlily endemic to Brazil.
Nymphaea paganuccii is a species of waterlily endemic to Brazil.
Nymphaea rapinii 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 vanildae is a species of waterlily endemic to Pernambuco, Brazil.
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 subg. Hydrocallis is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.
Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.