Nymphaea novogranatensis is a species of waterlily native to Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Description Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea novogranatensis is an aquatic herb with ovoid rhizomes, which are stoloniferous in the initial growth phase. The broadly elliptic-ovate to suborbicular, subcoriaceous to skin-like, 24 cm long and 21 cm wide leaves have a green adaxial surface. Purple spotting occurs on younger foliage. The brownish purple abaxial leaf surface may also feature dark spotting.Wiersema, J. H. (1987). A monograph of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). Systematic Botany Monographs, 1-112. The glabrous, 5 mm wide petioles have 2-4 primary and 6-8 secondary air canals. Generative characteristics The nocturnal flowers either float on the water surface, or are slightly emergent.Wiersema, J. H. (1984). Systematics of Nymphaea subgenus Hydrocallis (Nymphaeaceae). I. Four New Species from the Neotropics. Brittonia, 36(3), 213–222. https://doi.org/10.2307/2806510 They are attached to the glabrous, 7.5 mm wide peduncle with 5, 6, 15, or 18 primary air canals.
The flowers are slightly fragrant.
Cytology The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 28.Loehne, C., Borsch, T., & Wiersema, J. H. (2007). "Phylogenetic analysis of Nymphaeales using fast-evolving and noncoding chloroplast markers." Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 154(2), 141-163.
Reproduction Vegetative reproduction The rhizomes of Nymphaea novogranatensis are stoloniferous in the initial growth phase. Proliferating pseudanthia are absent. Generative reproduction Nymphaea novogranatensis depends on sexual reproduction. Contrary to other Nymphaea species, autogamous seed production is less fruitful. Therefore, it is more reliant on cross-pollination.
Taxonomy It was first described by Wiersema in 1984.
Type specimen The type specimen of Nymphaea novogranatensis was collected from a small depression along the road by Wiersema and González in Guarico, Venezuela on 31 August 1981.
Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subg. Hydrocallis. It is closely related to Nymphaea tenuinervia.
Etymology The specific epithet novogranatensis is a demonym for Colombia, formerly called Nueva Granada.Fernández Casas, F. J. (2016). The genus Spigelia Linnaeus (1753). The origin of its scientific names. Biblioteca Digital. https://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/idurl/1/1526302Mazza, G. (2018, September 17). Erythroxylum novogranatense. Monaco Nature Encyclopedia. Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/erythroxylum-novogranatense/?lang=en
Conservation In Mexico, it is threatened with extinction.Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO). (n.d.). Ninfa del Istmo (Nymphaea novogranatensis). EncicloVida. Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://enciclovida.mx/especies/166042-nymphaea-novogranatensisMODIFICACIÓN del Anexo Normativo III, Lista de especies en riesgo de la Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, Protección ambiental-Especies nativas de México de flora y fauna silvestres-Categorías de riesgo y especificaciones para su inclusión, exclusión o cambio-Lista de especies en riesgo, publicada el 30 de diciembre de 2010. (2010, December 30). Diario Oficial De La Federación. Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5578808&fecha=14/11/2019 Nymphaea novogranatensis is vulnerable to habitat loss resulting from human activities.
Ecology Habitat In Mexico, Nymphaea novogranatensis grows in temporary puddles found in low, open regions of thorny scrublands dominated by Parkinsonia aculeata. It occurs sympatrically with Nymphaea amazonum, Nymphaea jamesoniana, and Nymphaea pulchella.Alejandro Novelo, R., & Wiersema, J. H. (2000). "Three new records of aquatic vascular plants in Mexico." Acta Botanica Mexicana, (51), 53-60. It also occurs in flooded savannahs, lagoons, and puddles. It has a disjunct distribution.Mora-Olivo, A., Villaseñor, J. L., & Martínez, M. (2013). "Las plantas vasculares acuáticas estrictas y su conservación en México." Acta botánica mexicana, (103), 27-63. Pollination Nymphaea novogranatensis is pollinated by beetles.Madriñán, S., Rial, A., Bedoya, A. M., Fernández, M. (2017). "Plantas acuáticas de la Orinoquia colombiana." p. 32. Kolumbien: Universidad de los Andes.
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