Nymphaea potamophila is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from Venezuela to northern Brazil. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Colombia.Atuesta-Ibargüen, D. J. (2019). Composición florística y formas de vida de las macrófitas acuáticas de la serranía de La Lindosa (Guaviare), Guayana colombiana - Floristic composition and life forms of aquatic macrophytes of serrania La Lindosa (Guaviare), Colombian Guiana. Caldasia, 41(2), 301–312. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26680473GBIF, Global Biodiversity Information Facility. (n.d.). Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://www.gbif.org/species/3697289
Description Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea potamophila is an aquatic herb. The elliptic-sagittate, papery leaf blades of floating leaves are up to 20 cm long and 10 cm wide. The leaf margin is entire and flat. The adaxial surface is coloured in green with overlaying patterns of red variegation. The abaxial surface has a greenish base colour accompanied by dark red variegation, but also exhibits patterns of branched, rusty-brown striations. The leaf structure is compact and the leaves are very thin (145.50 μm). This gives the leaves cold tolerance.Yang, K. (2022). "Leaf Anatomic Structure and Cold Tolerance Evaluation of 6 Nymphaea Species." Plant Gene and Trait, 13. The glabrous, 3 mm wide petioles are very long and can exceed 4 m in length.Wiersema, J. H. (1984). "A new species of Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) from the Amazon Basin." SIDA, Contributions to Botany, 195-198. Generative characteristics The nocturnal floating flowers are connected to glabrous, 4 mm wide peduncles, which can exceed 4 m in length.
Cytology The chloroplast genome size is 159,232 bp.Sun, C., Chen, F., Teng, N., Xu, Y., & Dai, Z. (2021). "Comparative analysis of the complete chloroplast genome of seven Nymphaea species." Aquatic Botany, 170, 103353. The chromosome count is unknown.
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction Proliferating pseudanthia are not formed in this species.Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.). Nymphaea potamophila Wiersema. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved November 8, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/consulta/ficha.html?idDadosListaBrasil=86095 Generative reproduction High levels of both pollen viability and seed production are evident in Nymphaea potamophila. Sexual reproduction plays a significant role in this species.
Habitat It can be found in the aquatic habitats of the Amazon Rainforest, where it can grow along river margins in up to 4-5 m deep water.Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112.
Taxonomy Type specimen The type specimen was collected in Brazil by a team of scientists consisting of J. Ramos, C.D. Mota, L.A. Maia, and E. Soares on the 28th of June 1979.Nymphaea potamophila | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/281440-2
Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis.
Conservation The conservation status of this species in Brazil has not yet been evaluated.
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