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Nymphaea maculata is a species of waterlily native to tropical Africa.[1]
| Nymphaea maculata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Subgenus: | Nymphaea subg. Brachyceras |
| Species: | N. maculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea maculata Schumach. & Thonn.[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea maculata is a submerged, perennial, aquatic herb[2] with subglobose rhizomes, and many long, filiform roots. The petiolate, ovate-cordate floating leaves[3] have entire margins. The abaxial leaf surface is spotted.[2] The green abaxial leaf surface with black spotting displays prominent, dichotomous, anastomosing venation.[3]
Generative characteristics
The white, or blueish-white flowers are 3-8 cm wide.[2] The flowers have four sepals,[3] and 5-10 petals.[2] The androecium consists of 30 stamens. The ovary is subglobose, and has 14 stigmatic rays. The carpels have slightly incurved teeth. The multilocular, rounded fruit bears numerous small, arillate,rounded seeds.[3]
Generative reproduction
Flowering occurs from February to March.[4]
Publication
It was first described by Heinrich Christian Friedrich Schumacher and Peter Thonning in 1827.[1]
The specific epithet maculata means spotted.[5]
In Benin, it is regarded as vulnerable (VU).[6] It will face changes in land use, and habitat fragmentation.[7]
Habitat
It occurs in ponds,[8] swamps,[9][8] permanent spring pools,[10] acid, shallow, oligotrophic pools, and shallow pools in marshes with very dark waters.[11] It occurs sympatrically with Nymphaea lotus.[2]
The rhizome is edible,[12] and the fruits are eaten as well.[13] In Cameroon, Nymphaea maculata is an important melliferous plant for honey production.[14]
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