Nymphaea lotus L.

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (15)

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hippo Pools, by camp site

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:
Description:	Robust aquatic herb. Leaves ± circular, cordate, somewhat peltate; margin wavy, dentate with mucronate teeth, the teeth formed by the convergence at the margin of 3 nerves; upper surface smooth; lower surface prominently veined. Flowers white or cream, 10-18 cm in diameter; peduncle stout. Sepals 4, ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, 5-9 cm long. Petals c. 20. Stamens 40-60, not prolonged beyond the anthers by an appendage. Fruit 4-6 cm in diameter, spherical.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World.
Growth form(s):	Aquatic.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 99. (Includes a picture). Linley, K. & Baker, B. (1972). Flowers of the Veld Bundu Series Longman Zimbabwe Page 35. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 64. Mendonça, F.A. (1960). Nymphaeaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Page 176. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 85. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 89. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 220.

Other sources of information about Nymphaea lotus:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Nymphaea lotus
Flora of Caprivi: Nymphaea lotus
Flora of Malawi: Nymphaea lotus
Flora of Mozambique: Nymphaea lotus
Flora of Zambia: Nymphaea lotus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Nymphaea lotus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Nymphaea lotus
African Plant Database: Nymphaea lotus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Nymphaea lotus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Nymphaea lotus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Nymphaea lotus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Nymphaea lotus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Nymphaea lotus
JSTOR Plant Science: Nymphaea lotus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Nymphaea lotus
Plants of the World Online: Nymphaea lotus
Tropicos: Nymphaea lotus
Wikipedia: Nymphaea lotus