Nymphaea gracilis is a species of waterlily endemic to Mexico. It is the only species of its genus which is endemic to Mexico.
Description Vegetative characteristics Nymphaea gracilis has very short, subglobose rhizomes densely covered with fibrous roots. The petiolate, glabrous, orbicular floating leavesZuccarini, J. G. (1832). Plantarum novarum vel minus cognitarum descriptio, fasc. I. Abhandlungen Der Mathematisch-Physikalischen Classe Der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie Der Wissenschaften, 1, 362–363. http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/openurl?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft.date=1832&rft.spage=362&rft.volume=1&rft_id=http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/10920&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:book&url_ver=z39.88-2004 with dentate margins are 35–40 cm long, and 28–35 cm wide. The adaxial leaf surface is bright green, and the abaxial leaf surface is suffused with purple colouration. The terete, 1.2 cm wide petiole is 60–150 cm long.
Generative characteristics The flowers are 8–10 cm wide,Henkel, F., Rehnelt, F., Dittmann, L., Dittman, L. (1907). "Das buch der Nymphaeceen oder Seerosengewächse." pp. 59-60. Deutschland: F. Henkel. and extend up to 20–40 cm above the water surface. They have four lanceolate, green sepals and 18-20 white sepals. The androecium consists of 60 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 12-15 carpels.Conard, H. S. (2015). The Waterlilies: A Monograph of the Genus Nymphaea (Classic Reprint). pp. 137-139. USA: FB&C Limited. The globose 2–3.5 cm wide fruit bears arillate seeds with a reticulate testa, and trichomes. The flowers are fragrant.
Cytology Generative reproduction Nymphaea gracilis is facultatively xenogamous.
Taxonomy Publication It was first described by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1832.Nymphaea gracilis | International Plant Names Index. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2023, from https://www.ipni.org/n/171186-2
Placement within Nymphaea It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Brachyceras.Borsch, T., Löhne, C., & Wiersema, J. (2008). "Phylogeny and evolutionary patterns in Nymphaeales: integrating genes, genomes and morphology." Taxon, 57(4), 1052-4E.
Etymology The specific epithet gracilis means thin, slender or graceful.Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.-b). Deutzia gracilis - Plant Finder. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=v560Drakaea gracilis Hopper & A. P. Br. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://eol.org/pages/5950126/articlesPassiflora gracilis | The Italian Collection of Maurizio Vecchia. (n.d.). Passiflora. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.passiflora.it/gracilis/319/eng/
Conservation It is considered to be in danger of extinction.Lot, A., Novelo, A. (2004). "Iconografía y estudio de plantas acuáticas de la ciudad de México y sus alrededores." pp. 128-129. Mexiko: UNAM. Instituto de Biología.CONABIO. (n.d.). Ninfa cabeza de negro (Nymphaea gracilis). EncicloVida. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://enciclovida.mx/especies/166039-nymphaea-gracilis
Ecology Habitat It grows in canals,Cordova, C. E. (2022). "The Lakes of the Basin of Mexico: Dynamics of a Lacustrine System and the Evolution of a Civilization." p. 69. Deutschland: Springer International Publishing. swamps, shallow ponds, dams, and lakes.
Pollination
The flowers attract flies and bees. The bee species Apis mellifera is the most important pollinator of Nymphaea gracilis, followed by the fly species Allograpta obliqua, and Asemosyrphus sp.Zepeda-Gómez, C., Cruz-Muciño, E., Burrola-Aguilar, C., & Estrada-Zúñiga, M. E. (2020). "Floral biology, floral visitors, and reproductive system of Nymphaea gracilis Zucc.(Nymphaeaceae)." Botanical Sciences, 98(4), 499-515.
Use The rhizomes are eaten both by humans and livestock.Sandoval-Ortega, M. H. (2020). "Contribución al conocimiento de Nymphaea gracilis Zucc. en Aguascalientes, México." Tecnociencia Chihuahua, 14(1), 561-561.
Cultivation
It has been used in artificial hybridisation to create new waterlily cultivars.Kilbane, T. (n.d.). August Walking Tour – Water Gardens. Denver Botanic Gardens. Retrieved January 1, 2024, from https://www.botanicgardens.org/blog/august-walking-tour-water-gardens-1
References