Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) Savigny, 1798

 

Synonyms: Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea, Nymphaea calliantha, Nymphaea cyclophylla, Nymphaea magnifica, Nymphaea mildbraedii, Nymphaea muschleriana, Nymphaea nelsonii, Nymphaea scutifolia, Nymphaea spectabilis, Nymphaea vernayi, Castalia caerulea, Castalia scutifolia, Leuconymphaea caerulea, Blue Egyptian Lotus, blue water lily, sacred blue lily

 

 

Nymphaea caerulea is likely native only to the Nile Valley and parts of East Africa; suspected ancient introduction in South and South-East Asia; introduced in South America after the arrival of the Europeans. Taxonomy confusing: some authorities consider it synonymous with Nymphaea nouchali. A floating perennial herb; leaves floating, ovate or orbicular, with entire or sinuate margins; 25-40 cm across. Flowers are in long peduncles, emersed, 7-8 cm in diameter; green sepals and pale-blue to lilac petals; open around mid-morning and close in mid-afternoon.

 

		D37316 Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D37313 Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35968 Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D36162 Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)* Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
* photographed outside of its native range
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