Nymphaea kimberleyensis
Nymphaea kimberleyensis is a species of waterlily endemic to Western Australia.
Description
Nymphaea kimberleyensis has swollen, 12 cm long rhizomes. The leaves have a dentate margin.
The sepals are 9–18.5 cm long. The 9.5-14.5 cm long petals are blue, but display white colouration at the base. The androecium consists of 200 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 15-20 carpels. The glabrous seeds have only been observed in an immature state. The fruit does not develop to maturity.
Reproduction
Generative reproduction
Flowering occurs from March to June. Only immature seeds have been observed. The fruit fails to reach full maturity.
Taxonomy
Publication
It was first described by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs as Nymphaea immutabilis subsp. kimberleyensis S.W.L.Jacobs in 1992. Later, it was elevated to a separate species Nymphaea kimberleyensis S.W.L.Jacobs & Hellq. by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs and Carl Barre Hellquist in 2011.
Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by S. Jacobs, and P. Wilson in the Kimberly region of Western Australia on the 23rd of May 1988.
Placement within ''Nymphaea''
It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Anecphya.
Nymphaea kimberleyensis may be of hybrid origin.
Etymology
The specific epithet kimberleyensis indicates this species origin in Kimberly, Australia.
Conservation
It is a rare species.
Ecology
Habitat
It is found in small water courses with less intense flows, and in a lagoon experiencing seasonal droughts.