Barclaya longifolia is a species of perennial aquatic plant native to the region of Indo-China to Northwest Peninsular Malaysia.
Description
Vegetative characteristics Barclaya longifolia is a submerged, perennial, aquatic herbHughes, N. M., & Lev-Yadun, S. (2023). Why do some plants have leaves with red or purple undersides?. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 205, 105126. with ovoid, tuberous, stoloniferous, 2-3 cm long, and 0.5-1.5 cm wide rhizomes. The linear-lanceolate, 12-30 cm long and 2-5 cm wide leaves with an obtuse apex, and a cordate base have an undulate margin.Williamson, P.S., Schneider, E.L. (1994). Floral aspects of Barclaya (Nymphaeaceae): pollination, ontogeny and structure. In: Endress, P.K., Friis, E.M. (eds) Early Evolution of Flowers. Plant Systematics and Evolution Supplement 8, vol 8. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6910-0_9 The abaxial leaf surface displays red colouration. The petioles are 6-25 cm long. Generative characteristics The submerged and cleistogamous, or emerged and chasmogamous, 4-6 cm wide flowers are attached to 5-30 cm long peduncles with numerous trichomes. The sepals are 1.5-2.5 cm long, and 0.5-0.6 cm wide. The syncarpous, inferior gynoecium consists of 8-14 carpels. The globose, reddish green to whitish, 1-2 cm wide fruit bears 1mm long, and 0.5 mm wide, echinate, brownish red, globose seeds without an arillus.Schneider, E. L. (1978). Morphological Studies of the Nymphaeaceae. IX. The Seed of Barclaya longifolia Wall. Botanical Gazette, 139(2), 223–230. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2473739"Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, Pflanzengeschichte und Pflanzengeographie." p. 224. (1894). Deutschland: Schweizerbart. Cytology The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 36. The chloroplast genome is 158359 bp long.Zhang, H., Si, Y., Zhao, R., Sheng, Q., & Zhu, Z. (2023). Complete chloroplast genome and phylogenetic relationship of Nymphaea nouchali (Nymphaeaceae), a rare species of water lily in China. Gene, 858, 147139.
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction The rhizomes are stoloniferous. Generative reproduction Barclaya longifolia can produce autogamous, submerged, cleistogamous flowers,La-ongsri, W., Trisonthi, C., & Balslev, H. (2009). "A synopsis of Thai Nymphaeaceae." Nordic Journal of Botany, 27(2), 97-114. as well as emergent chasmogamous flowers.Lok, A. F. S. L., Ang, W. F., Lee, S. M. L., Tan, H. H., & Tan, H. T. W. (2009). "The status and distribution of Barclaya (Nymphaeaceae) in Singapore." Nature in Singapore, 2, 237-245.
Taxonomy It was first described by Nathaniel Wallich in 1827. It is the type species of its genus. The type specimen was collected by Wallich in Rangoon, Myanmar in August 1826. Etymology The specific epithet (longifolia) is derived from the Latin words longus meaning "long" and folium meaning "leaf".Backer, C.A. (1936). Verklarend woordenboek der wetenschappelijke namen van de in Nederland en Nederlandsch-Indië in het wild groeiende en in tuinen en parken gekweekte varens en hoogere planten (Edition Nicoline van der Sijs).
Conservation The IUCN conservation status is least concern (LC). It may be endangered in Peninsular Malaysia. In India, it is a rare species."Ecology and Management of Aquatic Vegetation in the Indian Subcontinent." p. 45. (2012). Deutschland: Springer Netherlands.
Ecology Habitat It occurs in quickly flowing rivers, streams, and stagnant pools. Disturbance of the substrate by wild boar may be beneficial for the establishment of Barclaya longifolia seedlings in their natural habitat.
Use In Laos, Barclaya longifolia is used for its edible leaves.Vidal, J. (1964). Les Plantes utiles du Laos (suite). Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquée, 11(1), 18-50.
Cultivation It is a popular aquarium plant. It can be easily cultivated in a mixture of pH-neutral, loamy and mineral soilsJacobsen, N., Ganapathy, H., Ipor, I., Jensen, K. R., Komala, T., Mangsor, K. N., ... & Ørgaard, M. (2022). "A reassessment of the genus Barclaya (Nymphaeaceae) including three new species." Nordic Journal of Botany, 2022(5), e03392. at temperatures of 26-29°C.Schliewen, U. (2017). "Praxishandbuch Aquarium: Mit über 400 Fischarten, Amphibien und Wirbellosen im Porträt. Der Bestseller jetzt komplett neu überarbeitet." p. 103. Deutschland: GRÄFE UND UNZER Verlag GmbH.
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