Nymphaea candida J. Presl is a species of flowering plant in the genus Nymphaea, native to quiet freshwater habitats in Eurasia, it is in flower from July to August. It is sometimes treated as a subspecies of N. alba (N. alba L. subsp. candida (J. Presl) Korsh.)

Nymphaea candida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Subgenus: Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea
Species:
N. candida
Binomial name
Nymphaea candida

Description

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Adaxial leaf surface of Nymphaea candida
Abaxial leaf surface of Nymphaea candida

Nymphaea candida is an aquatic herbaceous perennial that is laticiferous and rooted. It has a spread of approximately 60 cm and a plant depth from 10 to 30 cm. It has rhizomes that are stoloniferous and unbranched. There are about 10-20 leaves that are 9–19 cm across that are usually floating or submerged. The leaves are membranous when young and prominently veined when mature. The plant prefers growing in water-depths of about 60–80 cm.

Nymphaea candida has a small white flower (10–20 cm across) with a yellow center. The bisexual flower usually floats alone. The peduncles are long and there are 4 sepals. There are about 12-24 petals on each flower. The petals can be described as oblong-ovate, apex obtuse, and white. The outer petals are shorter than the inner ones.[1]

Cytology

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The chromosome count is n = 56. The genome size is 1936.44 Mb.[2]

Taxonomy

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The plant was originally discovered and described by J. Presl and C Presl. in 1882. The taxonomic status of this species is unknown.[3]

Synonyms

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  • Castalia biradiata (Sommerauer) Hayek
  • Castalia candida (C. Presl) Schinz & Thell.
  • Castalia colchica Woronow ex Grossh.
  • Castalia semiaperta (C. Klinggr.) Fritsch
  • Leuconymphaea candida (C. Presl) Kuntze

Distribution and habitat

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It grows in the quiet freshwaters in Eurasia. The plant grows only in water, as it is an aquatic plant, mainly in ponds, lakes, and slow flowing streams.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Nymphaea candida C. Presl". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  2. ^ Chen, F., Liu, X., Yu, C., Chen, Y., Tang, H., & Zhang, L. (2017). "Water lilies as emerging models for Darwin’s abominable mystery." Horticulture research, 4.
  3. ^ GBIF. "Nymphaea candida C. Presl - Checklist View". www.gbif.org. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  4. ^ "medicinal herbs: NYMPHAEA CANDIDA". www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net. Retrieved 2016-12-06.