Nymphaea micrantha

hybrids

The species Nymphaea micrantha is found in Cote d'Ivoire and is unusual for being both Live bearing; no seeds - viviparous; this species is the only day blooming viviparous lily, the similar looking N. lotus blooms only at night.

The characteristic white flower of N. micrantha is absent in aquarium plants purported to be this which show light blue flowers, they have to be a hybrid with another species, probably one with a blue flower and at any rate some other parent plant was also the source of the red mottling in the leaves, they're green in the true N. micrantha

The species was rediscovered in 2008. [1]


Refs:
  1. THE RE-DISCOVERY OF NYMPHAEA MICRANTHA.
    Authors: Protopapas, Andreas
    Source: Water Garden Journal. Spring2001, Vol. 17 Issue 1, p18-22. 5p. 16 Black and White Photographs.

    Abstract: Focuses on the rediscovery of Nymphaea micrantha in Abidjan, Cote d'Iviore. Collection of lilies found in the lakes; Survival of the plants during winter; Success in germinating the seedlings produced by the lilies. ISSN: 1069-5982

  2. Burkill, H.M., 1997. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 4, Families M–R. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 969 pp.
  3. Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.
  4. ASMA Nymphaea micrantha AS 71 by Au Secours Mon Arbre
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukF8fx3g4f4

    The white flowering of the true N. micrantha is shown below.