Nymphaea pulchella is a species of waterlily native to the regions spanning from Central and Southern Mexico to Brazil, as well as from the Bahamas to the Virgin Islands, including St. Croix.
Description Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea pulchella is an aquatic herbFelix, C. D. M. P. (2019). "Etnobotânica, florística, e citogenética na Serra do Jatobá, no Cariri da Paraíba, nordeste do Brasil." with cylindrical to subglobose tubers. The elliptic, suborbicular to orbicular leaves have a sinuate to dentate margin. The veins show minimal prominence on the abaxial leaf surface."Regni vegetabilis systema naturale, sive ordines, genera et species plantarum secundum methodi naturalis normas digestarum et descriptarum." p. 51. (1821). Vereinigtes Königreich: (n.p.). Generative characteristics The diurnal flowers can extend up to 20 cm above the water surface. They are held up by glabrous, brownish, non-brittle peduncles with six primary central and 12-13 secondary peripheral air canals. The androecium consists of 43-80 stamens. The ellipsoid, smooth, hispid seeds have trichomes arranged in continuous longitudinal lines.
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction Proliferating pseudanthia are absent.de Lima, C. T., Machado, I. C., & Giulietti, A. M. (2021). "Nymphaeaceae of Brasil." Sitientibus série Ciências Biológicas, 21.Pellegrini, M. O. O. & Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.-b). Nymphaea pulchella DC. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved December 29, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/FB19912 Generative reproduction It is autogamous, but reproduction is more fruitful in the presence of pollinators. Flowering and fruiting occurs throughout the year. Generative reproduction is the main mode of reproduction.
Taxonomy Publication It was first described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1821. Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Brachyceras.Marquina, S., Bonilla-Barbosa, J., & Alvarez, L. (2005). "Comparative phytochemical analysis of four Mexican Nymphaea species." Phytochemistry, 66(8), 921-927.
Etymology The specific epithet pulchella means "beautiful" or "pretty".Dictionary of Botanical Epithets. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2023, from http://botanicalepithets.net/dictionary/dictionary.150.htmlWhat do those botanical names mean - Rainyside.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 29, 2023, from https://www.rainyside.com/resources/reference/latin.html
Conservation In Puerto Rico, USA, it faces habitat destruction.Woodbury, R. O. (1975). "Rare and Endangered Plants of Puerto Rico: A Committee Report." p. 61. USA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
Ecology
Habitat It occurs in freshwater habitats, such as lakes, ponds,Liogier, A. H., Martorell, L. F. (2000). "Flora of Puerto Rico and adjacent islands : a systematic synopsis." p. 58. Puerto Rico: Ed. de la Universidad. lagoons, streams, and temporary puddles. Pollination The bee species Trigona spinipes is an effective pollinator of Nymphaea pulchella. In some cases, the bees coated in pollen fall into the stigmatic fluid and die.Chalegre, S. L., Domingos-Melo, A., de Lima, C. T., Giulietti, A. M., & Machado, I. C. (2020). Nymphaea pulchella (Nymphaeaceae) and Trigona spinipes (Apidae) interaction: From florivory to effective pollination in ponds surrounded by pasture. Aquatic Botany, 166, 103267. The flowers are also visited by the bee species Apis mellifera, as well as flies. Herbivory The bee species Trigona spinipes is florivorous, i.e. it consumes parts of the flowers of Nymphaea pulchella.
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