Nymphaea elegans, also known as the tropical royalblue waterlily,U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Tropical Royalblue Waterlily. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.fws.gov/species/tropical-royalblue-waterlily-nymphaea-elegans is a species of aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to the United States (Louisiana, Florida and Texas), Mexico, and the Bahamas. It has been introduced to Colombia. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Argentina.Tur, N. M. (2006). "Nymphaea elegans (Nymphaeaceae) nueva cita para la flora Argentina." Hickenia, 3, 42-167.
Description This species has unbranched rhizomes, which do not produce stolons. The petiole does not have any trichomes. The upper leaf surface is green, the submerged side of the leaf is purple.Nymphaea elegans Hook. (n.d.). SEINet. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=27921&clid=83
Reproduction The fragrant flowers are protogynous. During the first day of flowering they are functionally female. In the following two days, they are functionally male.Schneider, E. L. (1982). "Notes on the floral biology of Nymphaea elegans (Nymphaeaceae) in Texas." Aquatic Botany, 12, 197-200.
Taxonomy Type specimen The type specimen was collected from a pond near the head of Leona River in 1849 by Charles Wright in Texas, USA.Nymphaea elegans | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/171178-2
Etymology The specific epithet elegans means fine, elegant, or handsome.
Ecology Herbivory
Nymphaea elegans has been reported to be an important food plant of sandhill cranes in Texas, USA. It makes up 8.7% of their diet's volume.Guthery, F. S. (1975). Food Habits of Sandhill Cranes in Southern Texas. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 39(1), 221–223. https://doi.org/10.2307/3800493
Uses It finds use as a medicine and for food.
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