Nymphaea noelae is a species of water lily endemic to Queensland, Australia.[2]

Nymphaea noelae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Species:
N. noelae
Binomial name
Nymphaea noelae
S.W.L.Jacobs & Hellq.[2]
Nymphaea noelae is endemic to Queensland, Australia[2]

Description edit

Vegetative characteristics edit

Nymphaea noelae is an annual or perennial aquatic plant with 2 cm wide, globose rhizomes. The sub-orbicular to elliptic, petiolate, 3.5–23 cm long, and 10.5–22 cm wide leaves have a sinuate margin. The abaxial leaf surface is purple towards the periphery, but green in the centre.[3]

Generative characteristics edit

The fragrant flowers extend up to 30 cm above the water surface. The four green sepals with an acute apex are 7.5–8.0 cm long, and 2.3–2.6 cm wide. The 12–20 lanceolate, white to blue petals are 4.5–6.0 cm long, and 1.2–2.0 cm wide. The androecium consists of 100–200 yellow stamens. The gynoecium consists of 14–16 carpels. The globose, 4–5 cm long, and 3 cm wide fruit bears glabrous, elongated, 1.2–2 mm long, and 0.8–1.4 mm wide seeds.[3]

Taxonomy edit

Publication edit

It was first described by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs and Carl Barre Hellquist in 2011.[2]

Type specimen edit

Type specimen was collected by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs and Carl Barre Hellquist in Jerry Lagoon, Cape York, Queensland, Australia on the 17th of June 2007.[3]

Placement within Nymphaea edit

It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Confluentes.[3]

Etymology edit

The specific epithet noelae is derived from Noel Elizabeth Hellquist, the granddaughter of Carl Barre Hellquist.[3]

Conservation edit

The NCA status of Nymphaea noelae is Special Least Concern (SL).[1]

Ecology edit

Habitat edit

It occurs in billabongs and lagoons.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Queensland Government. (2022g, March 8). Species profile — Nymphaea noelae. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/details/?id=33879
  2. ^ a b c d "Nymphaea noelae S.W.L.Jacobs & Hellq". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f 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.