Nymphaea jamesoniana is a species of waterlily native to the USA (Western Florida), Mexico, and tropical South America.
Description
Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea jamesoniana is a long-lived, perennial aquatic herb.James’ Water Lily Nymphaea jamesoniana Planch. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved December 1, 2023, from https://eol.org/pages/596460 The abaxial leaf surface is marked with short, dark purple, sometimes bifurcating lines.Godfrey, R. K., Wooten, J. W. (2011). "Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Southeastern United States: Dicotyledons." p. 164. Greece: University of Georgia Press.Liogier, A. H. (1985). "Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands: Spermatophyta. Casuarinaceae to Connaraceae." p. 218. Puerto Rico: Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Generative characteristics The granulose, pilose, ellipsoid seeds feature trichomes in longitudinal, interrupted lines.
Cytology The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 28.Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112.Nymphaea jamesoniana in Flora of North America @ efloras.org. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2023, from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500825 The chloroplast genome is 158830 bp long.Gruenstaeudl, M., Nauheimer, L., & Borsch, T. (2017). Plastid genome structure and phylogenomics of Nymphaeales: conserved gene order and new insights into relationships. Plant systematics and evolution, 303, 1251-1270.
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction Stolons and proliferating pseudanthia are absent.Pellegrini, M. O. O. & Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.-a). Nymphaea jamesoniana Planch. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved December 1, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/FB10943 Generative reproduction Water disperses the seeds (i.e. hydrochory).
Habitat It grows in various freshwater habitats, such as marshes, canals, shallow waters, flooded ditches, flooded flatwoods, ponds, slowly flowing streams, and lakes.Wilder, G. J., & McCollom, J. M. (2018). "A floristic inventory of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary (Collier County and Lee County), Florida, USA." Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 265-315. It is intolerant of saltwater.
Taxonomy Nymphaea jamesoniana was first published by Jules Émile Planchon in 1852. Type specimen The type specimen was collected in Ecuador by Jameson.Nymphaea jamesoniana | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved December 2, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/281435-2
Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis.
Etymology The specific epithet jamesoniana honours the Scottish botanist William Jameson (1796-1873).Hammer, R. L. (2018). "Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers: Over 600 Wildflowers of the Sunshine State Including National Parks, Forests, Preserves, and More Than 160 State Parks." p. 329. United States: Falcon Guides.
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. United States: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. The NatureServe conservation status is secure (G5). In Florida, USA it is considered to be endangered.Coile, N. C., & Garland, M. A. (2000). "Notes on Florida's endangered and threatened plants." Gainesville (FL): Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Uses Nymphaea jamesoniana has been employed in the treatment of conditions such as irritated eyes, dysentery, and skin lesions. It has been utilized for its astringent properties. There are claims that its flowers possess narcotic properties. The Chorote people of Argentina use the rhizomes as food.Les, D. H. (2017). "Aquatic Dicotyledons of North America: Ecology, Life History, and Systematics." United States: CRC Press. Apart from the Chorote people, the rhizomes are also used by Wichi, Western Toba, and Pilagá.Scarpa, G. F. (2009). "Wild food plants used by the indigenous peoples of the South American Gran Chaco: A general synopsis and intercultural comparison."
Cultivation It is suitable for cultivation in the USDA zones 9a - 10a.Nymphaea jamesoniana. (n.d.). Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS). Retrieved December 1, 2023, from https://www.fnps.org/plant/nymphaea-jamesoniana
References