Nymphaea × daubenyana

Nymphaea × daubenyana is a species of waterlily endemic to Chad, which has also been introduced to the USA (Florida) and Sri Lanka. It is a natural hybrid of Nymphaea micrantha and Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea.^[1]

Nymphaea × daubenyana
Nymphaea × daubenyana cultivated at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York, USA
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Genus:	Nymphaea
Subgenus:	Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras
Species:	N. × daubenyana
Binomial name
Nymphaea × daubenyana W.T.Baxter ex Daubeny[1]
It is endemic to Chad, but has been introduced to Florida, USA[1]
Synonyms[1]
Nymphaea × daubeniana O.Thomas Nymphaea × erangae Yakand., Guruge & K.Yakand.

Description

Parent species of the natural hybrid
Nymphaea × daubenyana W.T.Baxter ex Daubeny

Nymphaea micrantha Guill. & Perr.

Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (Savigny) Verdc.

Vegetative characteristics

It has a tuberous rhizome. The cordate, elliptical-roundish, 30 cm wide leaves have an entire margin. The adaxial surface is coloured brightly green with red marks. The abaxial leaf surface is pale - brownish red. Proliferating tissue is found on the leaf blade above the attachment point of the petiole.^[2][3]

Generative characteristics

The blue flowers are 10 cm wide. The narrow petals have an acute apex.^[3][2] The ovules are bitegmic and anatropous.^[4] The flowers are fragrant.^[5][6][7]

Cytology

A chromosome count of 89 or 87 chromosomes has been reported.^[8] The diploid chromosome count has also been reported to be 2n = 42.^[9]

Reproduction

Vegetative reproduction through foliar proliferation occurs in Nymphaea × daubenyana.^[3][10][11]

Taxonomy

It was first named by W.T.Baxter, but only later validly published by Charles Giles Bridle Daubeny (1795-1867) in 1864.^[1] It is placed in the subgenus Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras.^[12]

Etymology

It is named after Professor Charles Giles Bridle Daubeny.^{[citation needed]}

Cultivation

Nymphaea × daubenyana cultivated in India

It is suited for cultivation in small ponds, containers, and aquaria.^{[13][14][6][15]} It is a fast growing and floriferous species.^[6] Despite being a tropical waterlily, it is relatively cold-tolerant.^[16]