Nymphaea abhayana is a species of waterlily endemic to India.[1]
| Nymphaea abhayana | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Subgenus: | Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras |
| Species: | N. abhayana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea abhayana A.Chowdhury & M.Chowdhury[1]
| |
_(W3).svg)
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| Nymphaea abhayana is endemic to West Bengal, India[1] | |
Description
editVegetative characteristics
editNymphaea abhayana is an annual aquatic herb. The leaves are almost all submerged. The lamina is 13-15 cm long, and 16-18 cm wide. The green petioles are glabrous.[2][3]
Generative characteristics
editThe 5-6 cm wide flowers float, but never extend above the water surface. The four 3.7-4 cm long, 0.8-1.2 cm wide sepals display prominent venation. The seven 2.9-3.5 cm long, 0.5-0.7 cm wide petals display blueish-purple colouration. The androecium consists of 13 stamens. The flowers have 6-7 stigmatic rays. The globose, 0.7-2 cm wide fruit bears globose seeds.[2][3]
Reproduction
editGenerative reproduction
editFlowering and fruiting occurs from October to December.[3]
Taxonomy
editPublication
editIt was first described by Anurag Chowdhury and Monoranjan Chowdhury in 2016.[1][4]
Type specimen
editThe type specimen of Nymphaea abhayana was collected by Anurag et al. in Gorumara National Park, West Bengal, India, on the 16th of November 2014.[2]
Placement within Nymphaea
editIt is close to Nymphaea nouchali.[2]
Etymology
editThe specific epithet abhayana honours Prof. Abhaya Prasad Das[4][2] of the University of North Bengal and Rajiv Gandhi University.[5]
Conservation
editNymphaea abhayana has a very narrow distribution.[2] It is a rare species.[3]
Ecology
editHabitat
editIt occurs in ephemeral aquatic habitats, which dry up in December.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Nymphaea abhayana A.Chowdhury & M.Chowdhury". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Chowdhury, A., & Chowdhury, M. (2016). "Nymphaea abhayana sp. nov. of Nymphaeaceae from Duars of West Bengal, India." International Journal of Plant Sciences, 5(4), 57-60.
- ^ a b c d Chowdhury, A. (2015). "Studies on the diversity and ethnic uses of wetland vascular plants in Terai and Duars of West Bengal, India (Doctoral dissertation, University of North Bengal").
- ^ a b Nymphaea abhayana A.Chowdhury & M.Chowdhury. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved December 3, 2024, from https://www.ipni.org/n/77174489-1
- ^ Abhaya DAS | Professor | MSc, MPhil, PhD, FLS: Retired Professor | Research profile. (n.d.). ResearchGate. Retrieved December 29, 2023, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abhaya-Das