Accession Data:
Nymphaea thermarum Eb.Fisch.
subg. Brachyceras
- Common Name: Pygmy Rwandan Water Lily
- Family: Nymphaeaceae Salisb.
- Country of Origin: Rwanda
- Habitat: mud flats below thermal hot springs (now defunct)
- Description: A tiny waterlily, forming rosettes 10-20 cm wide and comprising bright green lily pads (laminas) with short petioles. The lily pads can be as little as 1 cm in diameter. The central growing tip sinks in the wet mud, preventing the developing pads from drying out before unfurling.2
It is known from just one location in Mashyuza, in southwest Rwanda. However, it disappeared from there about two years ago due to over-exploitation of the hot spring that fed this fragile habitat. Water was prevented from reaching the surface, resulting in the desiccation of the few square metres where this species grew, and no plant is known to have survived in the wild.2
- Culture: Culture in fine loam, with water level equal to soil level - roots submersed, leaves emergent. Bright light, tropical temps. Prone to western flower thrips. Repot every 6 months or so.
- USDA Zone: 10
Accession Data:
- Accession # 201400265
- Source: Brian Leib - Harvard Weld Hill GH
- Provenance:
Collector: E. Fischer 3034, 09.10.1993 Collection: R[w]anda, Pref. Cyangugu, called Quelle Mashyuza by the Nyakabuye. Altitude: 1000 m
- Accession Date: 12-18-2014
- Bench: 1106 - AFR:West Bench NN
- Currently: active - healthy
- Qty: 7 confirmed on 05-06-2025
- Restrictions:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered Species - Extinct in the Wild
- Distribution Agreement (CBD or similar) - Plants do not leave Greenhouse/TLS w/o Manager approval!
- IUCN Red List: Endangered Species - Extinct in the Wild
Classification:
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- SubClass: basal angiosperms
- Order: Nymphaeales
- SubOrder:
- Family: Nymphaeaceae
- SubFamily:
- Tribe:
- SubTribe:
Flowering Data:
This accession has been observed in bloom on:| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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References (internal):
- Basal Angiosperms (paleodicots)
- Aquatic Plants
- Benthophyte
- IUCN Redlist Extinct in the Wild
- EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
- ECE 2019 - Scavenger Hunt
- EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Rwanda
References (external):
- The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 22 December 2014.
- Nymphaea thermarum at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew website. Accessed 22 December 2014.
- Fischer, E. & Rodriguez, C.M.; Nymphaea thermarum, Curtis Botanical Magazine, Volume 27, Issue 4, pages 318-327, December 2010.
data regenerated on Tue, 06 May 2025 15:00:02 -0400 [bcm v4.0]
Images:
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Current Accessions in the Nymphaeaceae
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 14 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= accession added within past 90 days