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Nymphaea tetragona Georgi
| Family Name: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Common Name: | Pygmy Waterlily, Finnish Water-lily |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m to 2 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Perennial aquatic herb which is rooted in the ground. |
|---|---|
| Roots | The roots are firmly anchored to the substrate below. |
| Foliage | Light green, 7-12 cm long leaves are oval to oblong with a long notch extending from the margin to the petiole located on the underside of the blade centre. The pinkish petiole is long, thin and flattened. |
| Stems | The rhizome (underground horizontal stem) produces leaves and flowers. |
| Flowers | White, bowl-shaped flowers are composed of many white, obovate petals arranged in a starburst pattern with numerous, light yellow anthers in the centre. The receptacle or base of the flower below the ovary is 4-sided. |
| Habitat | It naturally occurs in forest ponds and lakes with soft bottoms, as well as slow-moving rivers at elevations up to 4000 m. |
| Cultivation | This fast growing species can quickly cover large areas. |
| Etymology | The genus Nymphaea is derived from Greek and Latin words that mean water lily. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Stems Food (Fruit or Vegetable): In Vietnam, the rhizome (underground horizontal stem) and petiole (leaf-stalk) are consumed as a vegetable. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Pond / Lake / River, Aquarium / Aquascape |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Bowl-shaped |
| Flower Size | 2.5 cm |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33639 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8053 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
