Nymphaea rubra

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.^[2]

Nymphaea rubra
Nymphaea rubra flowering in Karikalampakkam, India
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Order:	Nymphaeales
Family:	Nymphaeaceae
Genus:	Nymphaea
Subgenus:	Nymphaea subg. Lotos
Species:	N. rubra
Binomial name
Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews[2]
Synonyms[2]
Castalia rubra (Roxb. ex Andrews) Tratt. Leuconymphaea rubra (Roxb. ex Andrews) Kuntze Nymphaea rubra var. purpurea DC. Castalia magnifica Salisb. Nymphaea magnifica (Salisb.) Conard Nymphaea rubra subsp. latipetala Lovassy Nymphaea rubra subsp. longiflora Lovassy Nymphaea rubra subsp. sanguinolenta Lovassy

Description

Leaf of Nymphaea rubra with dentate margin

Stamens of Nymphaea rubra without sterile apical appendage

Botanical illustration of Nymphaea rubra in the publication "The waterlilies: a monograph of the genus Nymphaea" by Henry Shoemaker Conard

Vegetative characteristics

Nymphaea rubra has 15.1 cm long, and 7.9 cm wide rhizomes.^[3] The petiolate, orbicular leaves are 25–48 cm wide. The adaxial leaf surface is bronzy red to dark green, and the abaxial leaf surface is dark purple. The leaf venation is very prominent.^[4] The petiole is 140 cm long.^[3]

Generative characteristics

The flowers are 15–25 cm wide.^[5] The four purplish-red sepals are oblong to lanceolate.^[6] The 12-20 narrowly oval petals have a rounded apex. The androecium consists of 55 red stamens.^[5] The gynoecium consists of 16-21 carpels.^[6] The fruit bears 1.85 mm long, and 1.6 mm wide seeds.^[5] The peduncle is 116 cm long.^[3] The flowers are pleasantly fragrant.^[7]

Cytology

The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 56.^[3]

Reproduction

Vegetative reproduction

One case of the development of a proliferating pseudanthia has been reported for a Nymphaea rubra specimen cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1886.^[8] It is stoloniferous, but in rare cases it can also reproduce through proliferating pseudanthia.^[9]

Generative reproduction

Nymphaea rubra may reproduce apomictically.^[10][9]

Taxonomy

Publication

It was first named by William Roxburgh, but only later validly published by Henry Cranke Andrews in 1808.^[2] Its status is uncertain and it may be of hybrid origin.^[11]

Placement within Nymphaea

It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Lotos.^[5][11]

Etymology

The specific epithet rubra means "red".^[12][13]

Conservation

The IUCN conservation status is Least Concern (LC).^[1]

Ecology

Numerous Nymphaea rubra flowering in a pond in Karikalampakkam, India

Habitat

It occurs in rivers, lakes, and ponds.^[14]

Use

The peduncles, and seeds are used as food.^[1]

Cultivation

It is suitable for the cultivation in aquaria.^[15][1]