Nymphaea violacea, also known as blue lily,[3] is a waterlily in the genus Nymphaea.

Nymphaea violacea
Nymphaea violacea cultivated at Bergianska trädgården, Stockholm, Sweden
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Species:
N. violacea
Binomial name
Nymphaea violacea
Lehm., 1853
Synonyms[2]
  • Nymphaea gigantea var. violacea (Lehm.) Conard
  • Nymphaea brownii F.M.Bailey
  • Nymphaea casparyi Rehnelt & F.Henkel
  • Nymphaea holtzei Rehnelt & F.Henkel
  • Nymphaea holtzei var. albiflora F.Henkel
  • Nymphaea rehneltiana F.Henkel
  • Nymphaea violacea var. coerulea Lehm.

Distribution

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Nymphaea violacea is found in Australia, particularly in the Western Australian Kimberley region and in northern parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.[4]

Description

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The flowers are violet, blue or white.[4]

Cytology

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The chromosome count is 2n = 112.[5]

Etymology

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The specific epithet violacea is derived from the Latin violace, meaning violet coloured. It refers to the floral colouration.[6]

Uses

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The waterlily is a bush tucker of the Aboriginal people in northern Australia. The tuber, stem, flowers and seeds are all edible.

Like other species in the genus, the plant contains the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine, which provide sedative effects when ingested.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Queensland Government. (2022, March 8). Species profile — Nymphaea violacea. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/details/?id=13386
  2. ^ "Nymphaea violacea Lehm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  3. ^ Brennan, Kim (1986). Wildflowers of Kakadu: a guide to the wildflowers of Kakadu National Park and the Top End of the Northern Territory. K.G. Brennan. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  4. ^ a b Townsend, Keith. "Nymphaea violacea". Australian Native Plants Society. Retrieved 15 September 2011.
  5. ^ Pellicer, J., Kelly, L. J., Magdalena, C., & Leitch, I. J. (2013). Insights into the dynamics of genome size and chromosome evolution in the early diverging angiosperm lineage Nymphaeales (water lilies). Genome, 56(8), 437-449.
  6. ^ Nymphaea violacea. (2023, July 29). Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved October 5, 2023, from https://anpsa.org.au/plant_profiles/nymphaea-violacea/
  7. ^ Ah Sam, Margaret (2006). Mitakoodi Bush Tucker. Mount Isa: Black Ink Press. p. 7. ISBN 1-86334-009-2.