Nymphaea elegans

Nymphaea elegans, also known as the tropical royalblue waterlily,[2][3] is a species of aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to the United States (Louisiana, Florida and Texas), Mexico, and the Bahamas. It has been introduced to Colombia.[1] Additionally, it has been reported to ocurr in Argentina.[4]

Nymphaea elegans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Species:
N. elegans
Binomial name
Nymphaea elegans
Hook., 1851[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Castalia elegans (Hook.) Greene 1888
  • Leuconymphaea elegans (Hook.) Kuntze 1891
  • Nymphaea mexicana A.Gray 1852

Description

This species has unbranched rhizomes, which do not produce stolons. The petiole does not have any trichomes. The upper leaf surface is green, the submerged side of the leaf is purple.[5]

Reproduction

The fragrant flowers are protogynous. During the first day of flowering they are functionally female. In following two days they are functionally male.[6]

Taxonomy

Type specimen

The type specimen was collected from a pond near the head of Leona River in 1849 by Charles Wright in Texas, USA.[6][7]

Etymology

The specific epithet elegans means fine, elegant, or handsome.

Ecology

Herbivory
Nymphaea elegans is a food source of sandhill cranes in Texas, USA[8]

Nymphaea elegans has been reported to be an important food plant of sandhill cranes in Texas, USA. It makes up 8.7% of their diets volume.[8]

Uses

It finds use as a medicine and for food.[1]

References
  1. "Nymphaea elegans Hook". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  2. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Tropical Royalblue Waterlily. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.fws.gov/species/tropical-royalblue-waterlily-nymphaea-elegans
  3. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Nymphaea elegans". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  4. Tur, N. M. (2006). "Nymphaea elegans (Nymphaeaceae) nueva cita para la flora Argentina." Hickenia, 3, 42-167.
  5. Nymphaea elegans Hook. (n.d.). SEINet. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=27921&clid=83
  6. Schneider, E. L. (1982). "Notes on the floral biology of Nymphaea elegans (Nymphaeaceae) in Texas." Aquatic Botany, 12, 197-200.
  7. Nymphaea elegans | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/171178-2
  8. Guthery, F. S. (1975). Food Habits of Sandhill Cranes in Southern Texas. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 39(1), 221–223. https://doi.org/10.2307/3800493


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