Accession Data

Nymphaea thermarum

Common Name: Pygmy Rwandan Water Lily

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Country of Origin: Rwanda

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

Accession Data

USDA Zone: 10

Accession #: 201400265

Accession Date: 2014-12-18 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🌸 Flowering

Location: 6901

Quantity: 16

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

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.

Classification

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: basal angiosperms

Order: Nymphaeales

Family: Nymphaeaceae

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015

References

  1. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 22 December 2014.
  2. Nymphaea thermarum at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew website. Accessed 22 December 2014.
  3. Fischer, E. & Rodriguez, C.M.; Nymphaea thermarum, Curtis Botanical Magazine, Volume 27, Issue 4, pages 318-327, December 2010.

Images

Nymphaea thermarum
Nymphaea thermarum