Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana explained

Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana is a variety of the water lily species Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. native to the region spanning from Tanzania to South Africa.[1]

Description

Vegetative characteristics

Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana is an aquatic, rhizomatous, perennial plant. The leaves are suborbicular to elliptic. The adaxial leaf surface is green and smooth, and the abaxial leaf surface is purple, red, or green with prominent venation.

Generative characteristics

The 6-12 cm wide, blue, white, or pink flowers emerge above the water surface. The flowers have four petals, and 14-20 petals. The androecium consists of 100 stamens.

Taxonomy

Publication

It was first described as Nymphaea petersiana Klotzsch by Johann Friedrich Klotzsch in 1861. Later, it was included in the species Nymphaea nouchali Burm.f. as the variety Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana (Klotzsch) Verdc. published by Bernard Verdcourt in 1989.

Etymology

The varietal name petersiana honours Wilhelm Peters (1815-1883).[2] [3]

Ecology

Habitat

It occurs in pools, rivers, and lakes.

Use

The rhizomes are eaten in Malawi.[4]

Notes and References

  1. 955150-1 . Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana (Klotzsch) Verdc. . 16 January 2024.
  2. Flora of Mozambique: Species information: Nymphaea nouchali var. petersiana. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2024, from https://www.mozambiqueflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=123470
  3. Nymphaea petersiana | CasaBio. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2024, from https://casabio.org/taxa/nymphaea-petersiana
  4. Chawanje, C. M. (1998). Nutrient and Antinutrient Content of an Underexploited Malawian Water Tuber Nymphaea petersiana (Nyika). https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstreams/a5f735df-712a-4635-9081-c1435e8fc550/download