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.
Description
Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea rubra has 15.1 cm long, and 7.9 cm wide rhizomes. 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. The petiole is 140 cm long.
Generative characteristics The flowers are 15–25 cm wide. The four purplish-red sepals are oblong to lanceolate. The 12–20 narrowly oval petals have a rounded apex. The androecium consists of 55 red stamens. The gynoecium consists of 16–21 carpels. The fruit bears 1.85 mm long, and 1.6 mm wide seeds.Conard, H. S. (2015). The Waterlilies: A Monograph of the Genus Nymphaea (Classic Reprint). pp. 199–200. USA: FB&C Limited. The peduncle is 116 cm long. The flowers are pleasantly fragrant.
Cytology The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 56..
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction 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.Franz Bleisch. (1886). "Abnorme Blüte von Nymphaea rubra." Deutsches Magazin Für Garten- Und Blumenkunde, 39, 326. It is stoloniferous, but in rare cases it can also reproduce through proliferating pseudanthia.Mitra RL (1990) Nymphaeaceae. In: Nayar MP, Thothathri K, Sanjappa M (eds) Fascicles of flora of India, Fascicles 20. Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata, pp. 20–21.
Generative reproduction Nymphaea rubra may reproduce apomictically.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
Taxonomy Publication It was first named by William Roxburgh, but only later validly published by Henry Cranke Andrews in 1808. Its status is uncertain and it may be of hybrid origin.
Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Lotos.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.
Etymology The specific epithet rubra means "red".Dictionary of Botanical Epithets. (n.d.-b). Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://botanicalepithets.net/dictionary/dictionary.159.html
Ecology
Habitat It occurs in rivers, lakes, and ponds.Nymphaea rubra Roxb. ex Salisb. (n.d.). India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/230505
Use The peduncles, and seeds are used as food.
Cultivation It is suitable for the cultivation in aquaria.Nymphaea rubra - Rote Seerose. (n.d.). Flowgrow. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://www.flowgrow.de/db/wasserpflanzen/nymphaea-rubra
References