Nymphaea pedersenii is a species of waterlily native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Uruguay.[1]

Nymphaea pedersenii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Subgenus: Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis
Species:
N. pedersenii
Binomial name
Nymphaea pedersenii
(Wiersema) C.T.Lima & Giul.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii Wiersema

Description

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Vegetative characteristics

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Nymphaea pedersenii has ovoid to subglobose tubers.[2] The broadly elliptic leaf blade is up to 31 cm long and 22 cm wide.[3] The coriaceous blade of the floating leaves is connected to non-brittle, brownish, glabrescent, 7.1−10 mm wide petioles with a ring of trichomes at the apex. It has two primary central air and six secondary peripheral air canals.[2] The leaf venation is actinodromous.[4]

Generative characteristics

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The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface.[4] The syncarpous gynoecium consists of approximately 39 carpels with clavate, cream-coloured, curved, 1.2−1.8 cm long and 2−4 mm wide appendages. The globose apex shows rosy colouration.[2] The ellipsoid, granulose, pilose seeds have trichomes arranged in continuous longitudinal lines.[4]

Cytology

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The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 18.[3]

Reproduction

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Vegetative reproduction

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In Argentina, the main mode of reproduction relies on stolon formation.[3] Proliferating pseudanthia are absent.[2]

Generative reproduction

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This species is not autogamous and outcrossing is obligatory.[3] Flowering occurs throughout the year.[2]

Taxonomy

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It was first described by Wiersema in 1987 as Nymphaea amazonum subsp. pedersenii, but later it was elevated to a separate species Nymphaea pedersenii by C.T.Lima and Ana Maria Giulietti in 2021.[1]

Type specimen

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The type specimen was collected by Wiersema, Vanni and Schinini in a lagoon in Itatí, Corrientes, Argentina on the 15th of April 1982.[3]

Placement within Nymphaea

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It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis.[3]

Etymology

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The specific epithet pedersenii honours Troels Myndel Pedersen.[3]

Ecology

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Habitat

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In Brazil, it was observed in a stream with up to 3 m depth in the state Pará and in permanent or temporary lagoons in the Pantanal.[2] In Argentina, it was observed growing in a lagoon.[3]

Pollination

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It is pollinated by the beetle species Cyclocephala mollis.[3] Beetles have been found trapped within the flowers.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Nymphaea pedersenii (Wiersema) C.T.Lima & Giul". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g de Lima, C. T., Machado, I. C., & Giulietti, A. M. (2021). "Nymphaeaceae of Brasil." Sitientibus série Ciências Biológicas, 21.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112.
  4. ^ a b c Pellegrini, M. O. O. & Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.-b). Nymphaea pedersenii (Wiersema) C.T.Lima & Giul. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved December 20, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/FB623374