Nymphaea × marliacea
Nymphaea × marliacea is an invasive artificial waterlily hybrid of Nymphaea mexicana, Nymphaea alba and or Nymphaea odorata. It has been naturalised in Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Europe.
Description
Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea × marliacea is a perennial, aquatic, rhizomatous, herb with large, branching, stoloniferous, horizontal, 35 mm wide rhizomes. The glabrous, suborbicular floating leaf with a deep basal sinus is up to 20 cm wide. The leaves can extend beyond the water surface under crowded conditions. The upper leaf surface shows a reddish brown marbled pattern, and the lower leaf surface displays purple spotting. The glabrous petiole reaches lengths of over 1 m.Generative characteristics
The large, often fragrant, diurnal, white, or faintly pink or yellow, up to 20 cm wide flowers float on the water surface or extend beyond it. The peduncle may reach lengths over 1 m. The flower has four sepals. The androecium consists of 50 stamens. Flowering occurs from May to October.Reproduction
It is a sterile hybrid. It can reproduce vegetatively through stolons.Taxonomy
It was described by Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac in 1888. The taxon authority appears to be disputed. Some sources give Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac as the taxon author, while others give William Wildsmith, or William Watson as the taxon author. However, W. Watson credited Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac with the name and its description, and therefore the name should be assigned to Latour-Marliac. Nymphaea × marliacea has not been typified.It is placed in the subgenus Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea.