Nymphoides indica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Western Asia, its presence is documented within the territories of both Iran and Iraq. Moving toward East Asia, it is widely found throughout South-Central China. The species also inhabits the tropical island province of Hainan. Additionally, its range extends northward to include the Manchuria region of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Nymphoides indica is characterized by its specialized existence within aquatic vegetation (Vegetação Aquática), where it thrives in various freshwater environments. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide range of vertical gradients within its landscape. It can be found at sea level, with a minimum elevation of 0 m AMSL, and extends its reach up to a maximum altitude of 1530 m AMSL. On average, the species is situated at a mean elevation of 790 m AMSL, indicating its ability to adapt to both lowland aquatic systems and higher-altitude montane water bodies.

Elevational range max:

1530 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

790 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Vegetação Aquática

Life history

The life history of Nymphoides indica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a specialized hydrophyte, it is evolutionarily adapted to aquatic environments, thriving in submerged or floating conditions. Its biological strategy also incorporates elements of a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized survival structures to endure varying environmental conditions. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage to facilitate continuous photosynthetic activity within its aquatic habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hydrophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Nymphoides indica is characterized by its aquatic lifestyle, functioning as a self-supporting, non-woody aquatic herb and forb. This species does not exhibit climbing behavior, behaving instead as a self-supporting organism rather than a liana or vine. As a terrestrial-based aquatic plant, it is not an epiphyte, maintaining an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant is relatively diminutive, with a height that remains at 0 m at its minimum and reaches a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nymphoides indica is characterized by significant morphological variability in its foliar development and specific metabolic pathways. The leaves exhibit a wide range of dimensions, with a mean leaf length of 10.5 cm, though individual specimens can vary from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum length of 30 cm. This lateral expansion is mirrored in the width, which can reach a maximum of 30 cm, facilitating optimal surface area for light interception in its aquatic habitat. Regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the absorption of dissolved nitrates and ammonium from its surrounding water or substrate rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

10.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

30 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Nymphoides indica involves the production of specialized fruit structures that facilitate the dispersal of seeds. The plant develops small, capsule-like fruits that exhibit specific morphological variations in size. These fruits typically measure a minimum of 0.3 cm in length, with an average size recorded at approximately 0.4 cm. Under optimal growing conditions, the fruit length can reach a maximum of 0.5 cm. These dimensions characterize the reproductive output of the species, ensuring the successful propagation of the plant within its aquatic habitat.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nymphoides indica 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 root.

Root

1. Ayu

Preparations

Nymphoides indica has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include roots.

Roots

1. Ayu