Nymphaea tetragona and Nymphaea leibergii (Nymphaeaceae): two species of diminutive water-lilies in North America

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Wiersema, John H.

Source:

Brittonia, Springer US on behalf of New York Botanical Garden Press, Volume 48, Issue 4, p.520-531 (1996)

Call Number:

A96WIE01IDUS

Keywords:

Nymphaea leibergii, Nymphaea tetragona

Abstract:

Although all past floras of northern North America have recognized only one species of diminutive water-lily, actually two distinct species occur in the region. The circumboreal Nymphaea tetragona Georgi is largely confined to the northwestern part of the continent, extending as far east as Manitoba and occurring in the contiguous United States only in northwest Washington. A second species, N. leibergii Morong, is restricted to, but widely distributed in, northern North America, though it is absent from the extreme northwest. The two species are distinguishable from each other by several floral and foliar characters, and the two species form a section, Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea sect. Chamaenymphaea, stat: nov. This is distinguished from the two other sections of subg. Nymphaea in a key, and Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea sect. Xanthantha, stat. nov., is proposed. Sect. Chamaenymphaea is described for North America, synonymy and nomenclature for both species are discussed, and a key including N. odorata Aiton is presented. A lectotype is provided for N. leibergii, and the typification of N. tetragona is examined.