Nymphaea elleniae

Nymphaea elleniae is a species of waterlily native to Papua New Guinea, and North Queensland, Australia.^[2]

Nymphaea elleniae
Conservation status
Special Least Concern (NCA)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Genus:	Nymphaea
Subgenus:	Nymphaea subg. Anecphya
Species:	N. elleniae
Binomial name
Nymphaea elleniae S.W.L.Jacobs[2]
Nymphaea elleniae is native to North Queensland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea[2]

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Nymphaea elleniae is a perennial plant with elongate rhizomes. Mature floating leaves are 22 cm long, and 18 cm wide.^[3]

Generative characteristics

The flowers, which are only open during daytime, can extend up to 20 cm above the water surface. The four 7 cm long sepals have an acute to obtuse apex. The 25 lanceolate petals have an acute to obtuse apex. The androecium consists of 100 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 11-22 carpels. The globose, 2.5 cm wide fruit bears numerous glabrous, elliptical, 1.75-2.5 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide seeds.^[3]

Reproduction

Generative reproduction

Flowering occurs from April to December.^[3]

Taxonomy

Publication

It was first described by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs in 1992.^[2]

Type specimen

The type specimen was collected by S. Jacobs & J. Clarkson in Jardine River, Queensland, Australia on the 6th of August 1987.^[3]

Placement within Nymphaea

It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Anecphya.^[4][5][6]

Etymology

The specific epithet elleniae refers to Ellen A. Jacobs, the daughter of Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs.^[3]

Conservation

The NCA status of Nymphaea elleniae is Special Least Concern.^[1]

Ecology

Habitat

It is found in up to 5 m deep waters.^[3]