| Nymphaea rudgeana | |
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| Nymphaea rudgeana in its natural habitat in Bahia, Brazil | |
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| Botanical illustration of Nymphaea rudgeana | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. rudgeana |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea rudgeana G.Mey. [1] | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
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Nymphaea rudgeana is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Mexico to tropical South America. [1]
The ovoid to subglobose rhizome may exceed 7 cm in length and 8 cm in width. It is not stoloniferous. [2] Its leaves are thick and leathery, round to kidney-shaped or broadly heart-shaped. The leaf blade is 17-18 cm long and 19-21 cm wide. In deeper water, they can grow up to 35 cm. The margin is dentate and has uneven, blunt teeth, although towards the apex the margin is almost entirely smooth. [3] It is the sole member of its subgenus featuring leaves with dentate margins. However, it also produces submerged leaves with entire margins, if it grows in flowing water. [2] The adaxial leaf surface is shiny and light green with some red colouration in the centre and towards the edge. Younger leaves exhibit brownish red spotting. The abaxial leaf surface, which features protruding leaf venation, displays a brownish-purple colouration with irregular spotting. The petiole is reddish-brown, [3] up to 9 or 11 mm wide, glabrous and has 2 primary, as well as 4 to numerous secondary air canals. [2] From each leaf base, 6-7 roots emerge. [4]
The flower has four green or pink sepals, with or without blackish stripes. They are elliptic in shape with an acute to obtuse apex. The white to pink petals are gradually transitioning into stamens. [5] The floral fragrance has been described as lemon scented. [6] The rich, fruity odour is said to resemble the fragrance of Nymphaea amazonum . [7]
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 42. [8]
Asexual reproduction is not known to occur in this species. [9] Both stolons and proliferating pseudanthia are absent in this species. [10] [2]
Cross pollination of the protogynous flowers occurs frequently. [11] However, since the stigma remains receptive in the second day, which is when the pollen is released, autogamy is possible as well. [9] The seeds are very numerous. In one case, 4365 seeds were found in a single fruit. [3] A range of 1000 to 8000 seeds has also been reported. [4]
It can grow in salty or brackish water. [9] [12] It has been observed growing in shallow waters of 20-100 cm in depth at river margins. It has also been found growin in an artificial lake with slight water flow. [11]
The type specimen was collected in Guyana by Rodschied. [13] [2]
It is a member of Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis. However, it was speculated that Nymphaea rudgeana may be an ancient hybrid involving Nymphaea subgenus Lotos. [8] [2]
The specific epithet rudgeana honours Anne Rudge. [14]
The beetle species Cyclocephala castanea and Cyclocephala verticalis visit Nymphaea rudgeana flowers. [16] [15] [11] The insects are not trapped inside the flowers overnight. [11] There have however been reports of consistently finding dead insects within the flowers. [3]
In Puerto Rico it is a rare species facing habitat destruction. [17] The IUCN conservation status is not evaluated (NE). [18]
Foliage and flowers are used as emollients by the Palikur people of French Guiana. [19] Various other ethnobotanical uses were also reported: Decoctions were used for cases of morphea, as a drink it was used against erysipelas, and it has been used as treatment of facial tumours, toothaches and leprous wounds. [20] The seeds are used as food by native people. [4]
It is very rare in cultivation, although it may be easily cared for. [21] [22] [18] [23] It should be cultivated in high light conditions in rich, loamy fertile substrate at temperatures of 23 - 29 °C. [23] [18]
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 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 tenuinervia is a species of waterlily native to Colombia, Guyana and Brazil.
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 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 × 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 gracilis is a species of waterlily endemic to Mexico. It is the only species of its genus, which is endemic to Mexico.
Nymphaea hastifolia is a species of waterlily native to the Northern Territory, and Western Australia.
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.
Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis is a subgenus of the genus Nymphaea.