Nymphaea sulphurea

Nymphaea sulphurea is a species of waterlily native to Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Nymphaea sulphurea has stout, cone-shaped rhizomes. The suborbicular to broadly ovate, petiolate, 4.5-5.5 cm long leaves have an entire margin. The petioles are 38–46 cm long.

Generative characteristics

The flowers are 4.5–7 cm wide. The lanceolate sepals with acute apex are 2–3 cm long, and 1.5–1 cm wide. The dark sulphur yellow petals are 2.8–2 cm long, and 1.2-0.7 cm wide. The androecium consists of 40-50 stamens with bright yellow anthers. The gynoecium consists of 12-14 carpels.

Taxonomy

Publication

It was first described by Ernest Friedrich Gilg in 1903.

Type specimen

The type specimen was collected by Hugo Baum in Minnesera on 17 January 1900.

Etymology

The specific epithet sulphurea, from the Latin sulphureus, means yellow, and refers to the floral colouration.