''Nymphaea caatingae'' is a species of waterlily that is endemic to north-eastern Brazil.

Description

Vegetative characteristics

''Nymphaea caatingae'' is an aquatic herb. It has stoloniferous, subglobose tubers. The floating leaves are attached to the stem by glabrous, non-brittle, 2.3-8 mm wide,green to reddish petioles, which have two primary central air canals, as well as six smaller secondary ones.de Lima, C. T., Machado, I. C., & Giulietti, A. M. (2021)
"Nymphaeaceae of Brasil."
Sitientibus série Ciências Biológicas, 21. The leaf blade is ovate, suborbicular to orbicular in shape and has flat and entire margins. The apex of the leathery lamina is obtuse.

Generative characteristics

Flowering occurs throughout the year. The nocturnal flowers float on the water surface. They have non-brittle, glabrous, brownish peduncles with six central primary air canals and twelve smaller secondary, peripheral ones. There is an abrupt transition from the white petals to stamens and staminodia are absent. The ellipsoid, ruminate, pilose seeds have trichomes arranged in interrupted, longitudinal lines.

Reproduction

Vegetative reproduction

Proliferating pseudanthia are present,Pellegrini, M. O. O. & Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. (n.d.). ''Nymphaea caatingae'' C.T.Lima & Giul. Flora E Funga Do Brasil. Retrieved December 8, 2023, from https://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/FB623375 which enable rapid vegetative reproduction under volatile environmental conditions.de Queiroz, L. P., Cardoso, D., Fernandes, M. F., & Moro, M. F. (2017)
"Diversity and evolution of flowering plants of the Caatinga domain."
Caatinga: the largest tropical dry forest region in South America, 23-63. Stolons are produced as well, but the proliferating pseudanthia are the main mode of vegetative propagation.

Generative reproduction

The nocturnal, protogynous flowers last for two days. Autogamy does not occur. Fruit set has only been observed after cross pollination.

Taxonomy

It was first described by C.T.Lima and

Ana Maria Giulietti Ana Maria Giulietti Harley (born 1945) is a Brazilian biochemist, botanist, and educator known for researching ''Eriocaulaceae'', as well as her work at the University of São Paulo, State University of Feira de Santana, and Vale Institute of Tech ...

in 2021.

Type specimen

The type specimen was collected by C.T. Lima on the 13th of December 2009 in the municipality Itaberaba on the road to Ipirá in the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Placement within ''Nymphaea''

It is placed in ''Nymphaea'' subg. ''Hydrocallis''. It is morphologically closest to ''

Nymphaea vanildae ''Nymphaea vanildae'' is a species of waterlily endemic to Pernambuco, Brazil. Description Vegetative characteristics ''Nymphaea vanildae'' is an aquatic herb with cylindrical tubers, which are likely not stoloniferous. The roots are contractile ...

''.

Etymology

The specific epithet ''caatingae'' refers to the

Caatinga Caatinga () is a type of semi-arid tropical vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in interior northeastern Brazil. The name "Caatinga" comes from the Tupi word '' ka'atinga'', meaning "white forest" or "white vegetat ...

Ecology

Habitat

In the Caatinga, it grows in temporary ponds, and in stagnant water. It is endemic to Brazil and occurs in the Caatinga, as well as the Atlantic rainforest.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q123705504 caatingae Flora of Brazil Endemic flora of Brazil Flora of Southern America Plants described in 2021