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
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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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

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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

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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

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

Reproduction

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Vegetative reproduction

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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]

Generative reproduction

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Nymphaea rubra may reproduce apomictically.[9]

Taxonomy

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Publication

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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.[10]

Placement within Nymphaea

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It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Lotos.[5][10]

Etymology

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The specific epithet rubra means "red".[11][12]

Conservation

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

Ecology

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Numerous Nymphaea rubra flowering in a pond in Karikalampakkam, India

Habitat

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It occurs in rivers, lakes, and ponds.[13]

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

Cultivation

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It is suitable for the cultivation in aquaria.[14][1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Juffe Bignoli, D. 2011. Nymphaea rubra. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T169021A6562659. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T169021A6562659.en. Accessed on 04 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Hossain, A.; Kabir, G.; Ud-deen, M. M.; Alam, A. M. S. (2007). "Cytological studies of Nymphaea species available in Bangladesh". Journal of Bio-Science: 7–13. ISSN 1023-8654..
  4. ^ Guruge, D. S. K.; Yakandawala, D.; Yakandawala, K (2016), "Confirming the identity of newly recorded Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Andrews discerning from Nymphaea pubescens Willd. using morphometrics and molecular sequence analyses." (PDF), Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, 23 (2)
  5. ^ a b c d Conard, H. S. (2015). The Waterlilies: A Monograph of the Genus Nymphaea (Classic Reprint). pp. 199-200. USA: FB&C Limited.
  6. ^ a b La-ongsri, W.; Trisonthi, C.; Balslev, H (2009), "A synopsis of Thai Nymphaeaceae" (PDF), Nordic Journal of Botany, 27 (2): 97–114
  7. ^ Henkel, F.; Rehnelt, F.; Dittmann, L. (1907), Das Buch der Nymphaeaceen oder Seerosengewächse, p. 72
  8. ^ Franz Bleisch. (1886). "Abnorme Blüte von Nymphaea rubra." Deutsches Magazin Für Garten- Und Blumenkunde, 39, 326.
  9. ^ Wiersema, J. H. (1988). Reproductive Biology of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden, 75(3), 795–804. https://doi.org/10.2307/2399367
  10. ^ a b Löhne, C., Yoo, M. J., Borsch, T., Wiersema, J., Wilde, V., Bell, C. D., ... & Soltis, P. S. (2008). Biogeography of Nymphaeales: extant patterns and historical events. Taxon, 57(4), 1123-19E.
  11. ^ Joe, A.; Sreejith, P. E.; Sabu, M. (2016). "Notes on Musa rubra Kurz (Musaceae) and reduction of M. laterita Cheesman as conspecific". Taiwania. 61 (1): 34–40.
  12. ^ Dictionary of Botanical Epithets. (n.d.-b). Retrieved January 4, 2024, from http://botanicalepithets.net/dictionary/dictionary.159.html
  13. ^ Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Salisb. (n.d.). India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/230505
  14. ^ Nymphaea rubra - Rote Seerose. (n.d.). Flowgrow. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.flowgrow.de/db/wasserpflanzen/nymphaea-rubra