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Nymphaea amazonum
Species of water lily From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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.[1]
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Description
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Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea amazonum is an aquatic herb.[2] It has dark brown to black, subcylindrical rhizomes, which can reach lengths of 10 centimetres (3.9 in) and widths of 3 centimetres (1.2 in).[3] The broadly ovate-elliptic leaf blade reaches 32 centimetres (13 in) in length and 26 centimetres (10 in) in width.[4] The actinodromous venation on the abaxial side of the mature leaf features strongly prominent and rounded veins.[2] The petiole is up to 8 mm wide and exhibits a ring of trichomes towards the apex.[4]
Generative characteristics

The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface.[2] They are attached to 10 mm wide peduncles, which rarely exhibit a ring of trichomes towards the apex.[4] The floral fragrance has been characterised as very pleasant.[5][6][7] The fragrance is also said to resemble petrol, xylol,[3][4] benzene, PDB, turpentine, benzol, xylene, and acetone.[4] Fruits are produced very frequently.[4] Up to 22000 seeds are found in a single fruit.[8] The ovoid seeds are 1.3 mm long and 0.9 mm wide.[3] They are smooth, pilose and exhibit trichomes in continuous longitudinal lines.[2]
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Cytology
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 18.[4]
Reproduction
Vegetative reproduction
Nymphaea amazonum is stoloniferous,[4] but does not produce proliferating pseudanthia.[2]
Generative reproduction
The seed dispersal is hydrochorous (i.e. water-dispersed) or ornithochorous (i.e. bird-dispersed).[9]
Taxonomy
It was first described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1832.[1]
Type specimen
The type specimen was collected in Brazil.[4]
Placement within Nymphaea
It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis.[4]
Former subspecies
Nymphaea amazonum was sepataed into the two subspecies Nymphaea amazonum subsp. amazonum and Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii Wiersema.[4] This view was later rejected and Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii Wiersema was then treated as a separate species Nymphaea pedersenii (Wiersema) C.T.Lima & Giul. in 2021.[10]
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Conservation
In Puerto Rico, USA Nymphaea amazonum faces habitat destruction.[11] It is considered to be endangered (EN) in Cuba, as it faces diminishing and deteriorating habitats caused by agricultural practices, the influence of exotic flora and fauna, livestock farming, sedimentation, and pollution.[12] In the Liste rouge de la flore vasculaire de Guadeloupe of 2019, Nymphaea amazonum is listed as data deficient (DD).[13]
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Ecology
Habitat
In the Pantanal, it can be found in permanent ponds.[14] It is also found in lagoons and canals.[15] It is found growing in mixtures of clay and sand or in sandy-quartzitic soils.[12] Rhizomes of Nymphaea amazonum can endure periods of drought in moist sediments. In the floodplains of the Amazon, it faces competition from aquatic and semi-aquatic grass species.[16]
Pollination

The strong floral fragrance attracts beetles of the genus Cyclocephala.[18] The beetle species Cyclocephala castanea pollinates the flowers of Nymphaea amazonum.[17]
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Uses
Nymphaea amazonum is used as a medicine and for food.[1] The rhizomes are edible.[14] It has the ability to absorb the pesticides cyhalothrin and imidacloprid from the water.[19][20] It exhibits antimicrobial properties in the treatment of ulcers.[21] The flowers have been used in the treatment of herpes and erysipelas.[22]
Cultivation
It is rare in cultivation.[8]
References
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