Nymphaea elegans

Nymphaea elegans, also known as the tropical royalblue waterlily, is a species of aquatic plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. It is native to the United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. It has been introduced to Colombia. Additionally, it has been reported to occur in Argentina.

Description

This species has unbranched rhizomes, which do not produce stolons. The petiole does not have any trichomes. The upper leaf surface is green, the submerged side of the leaf is purple.

Reproduction

The fragrant flowers are protogynous. During the first day of flowering they are functionally female. In the following two days, they are functionally male.

Taxonomy

Type specimen

The type specimen was collected from a pond near the head of Leona River in 1849 by Charles Wright in Texas, USA.

Etymology

The specific epithet elegans means fine, elegant, or handsome.

Ecology

Herbivory

Nymphaea elegans has been reported to be an important food plant of sandhill cranes in Texas, USA. It makes up 8.7% of their diet's volume.

Uses

It finds use as a medicine and for food.