red water lily

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Leuconymphaea rubra
• Castalia rubra
• Castalia magnifica
• Nymphaea rubra subsp. sanguinolenta
• Nymphaea rubra subsp. latipetala
• Nymphaea rubra subsp. longiflora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Nymphaeales, it falls under the family Nymphaeaceae. Finally, its specific classification is placed within the genus Nymphaea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, it can be specifically located within Hungary. Its presence extends into Asia, where it is found throughout Southeast China. Within the Indian Subcontinent, the species is widely distributed across India and Bangladesh. Additionally, it thrives in the specific region of Assam.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nymphaea rubra is fundamentally defined by its existence within aquatic vegetation (Vegetação Aquática) ecosystems, where it functions as a key structural component of lentic environments. Thriving in standing or slow-moving freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and marshes, the species occupies the interface between the water column and the surface. Its growth strategy relies on anchoring its root systems in the anaerobic substrates of the benthic zone, from which it extends long, flexible petioles to position its floating leaves and reproductive structures at the air-water interface. This positioning allows the plant to optimize light interception for photosynthesis while navigating the thermal and chemical gradients of the water column. By forming dense floating mats, Nymphaea rubra plays a critical ecological role in regulating the microclimate of its habitat, providing essential shade that moderates water temperature and modulates light penetration, which in turn influences the metabolic rates and community composition of submerged macrophytes, phytoplankton, and various aquatic fauna.

Habitat :

Vegetação Aquática

Morphology

The morphology of Nymphaea rubra is characterized by its classification as an aquatic herb, existing as a non-woody plant that thrives in water-based environments. As a self-supporting species, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, nor does it function as an epiphyte, remaining strictly terrestrial in its root anchoring while its foliage adapts to the aquatic medium. The plant grows as an independent organism, functioning without parasitic tendencies, and maintains a soft, herbaceous structure throughout its lifecycle.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nymphaea rubra has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Fitoterapia

Chemicals

Nymphaea rubra has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Nuciferine, apomorphine.

Nuciferine

1. Fitoterapia

apomorphine

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Nymphaea rubra has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.

Antidiabetic

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Nymphaea rubra has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dyslipidemia.

Most Reported Uses