Nymphaea lukei is a species of waterlily endemic to Western Australia.[1]
| Nymphaea lukei | |
|---|---|
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| Nymphaea lukei in cultivation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Nymphaea |
| Species: | N. lukei
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| Binomial name | |
| Nymphaea lukei S.W.L.Jacobs & Hellq.[1]
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_(W3).svg)
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| Nymphaea lukei is endemic to Western Australia[1] | |
Description edit
Vegetative characteristics edit
Nymphaea lukei is an annual or perennial aquatic plant with globose, 2-2.5 cm wide rhizomes. The elliptic, petiolate, 9.7–28 long, and 7.2–25 wide leaves have a sinuate margin.[2]
Generative characteristics edit
The fragrant flowers extend up to 30 cm above the water surface. The green sepals with blue margins towards the acute apex are 3.5–6.5 cm long, and 0.5–2.5 cm wide. The 15-30 white to blue, lanceolate petals are 3–6 cm long, and 1.3–2 cm wide. The androecium consists of 75–250 yellow stamens. The gynoecium consists of 16–30 carpels. The globose, 1.5–3 cm long, and 1.5–2.5 cm wide fruit bears elongated, 2.1–2.5 mm long, and 1.8–1.9 mm wide seeds with 0.03–0.06 mm long trichomes, and verrucose projections.[2]
Reproduction edit
Generative reproduction edit
Flowering occurs towards the end of the wet season, and continues within the dry season.[2]
Taxonomy edit
Publication edit
It was first described by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs and Carl Barre Hellquist in 2011.[1]
Type specimen edit
The type specimen was collected by S. Jacobs in Dampier, Western Australia on the 2nd of May 2008.[2]
Placement within Nymphaea edit
Etymology edit
The specific epithet lukei is named after Luke Jaden Fussell, the grandson of Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs.[2]
Ecology edit
Habitat edit
It occurs in pools, creeks, and rivers.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Nymphaea lukei S.W.L.Jacobs & Hellq". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jacobs, S. W., & Hellquist, C. B. (2011). "New species, possible hybrids and intergrades in Australian Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae) with a key to all species." Telopea, 13(1-2), 233-243.
- ^ Dalziell, E. L. (2016). "Seed biology and ex situ storage behaviour of Australian Nymphaea (water lilies): implications for conservation (Doctoral dissertation, PhD thesis. University of Western Australia, Perth, WA)."