Barclaya hirta

Barclaya hirta is a species of aquatic plant native to Sumatra, Indonesia. It is disputed. By some, it is treated as synonym of Barclaya motleyi, but by others it is regarded as a separate species.

Vegetative characteristics
Barclaya hirta is an aquatic plant with villous, stoloniferous, slim, 2–5 cm long, and 0.5–1 cm wide rhizomes. The 10-15 petiolate, rounded to ovate leaves with an obtuse apex are 5–10 cm long, and 4–8 cm wide. The petioles are 5–20 cm long. The leaves exhibit brownish pubescence.

Generative characteristics
The nocturnal, 4 cm wide flower is attached to a 5–20 cm long peduncle. The outer tepals are 2.5–3 cm long, and the 6-8 inner tepals are 2 cm long. The androecium consists of 30-40 stamens. The stigmatic cup has 7-9 carpellary appendages. Fruits were not observed.

Cytology
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 36.

Vegetative reproduction
It can reproduce vegetatively through the formation of stolons.

Generative reproduction
The flowers are likely nocturnal.

Publication
It was first described as Nymphaea hirta Kurz ex Teijsm. & Binn. by Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz but validly published by Johannes Elias Teijsmann and Simon Binnendijk in 1864. Later, it was transferred to the genus Barclaya Wall. as Barclaya hirta (Kurz ex Teijsm. & Binn.) Miq. by Friedrich Anton Wilhelm Miquel in 1870.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by Johannes Elias Teijsmann in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Classification status
The status of this species is disputed. It is rejected by some, but accepted by others.

Etymology
The specific epithet hirta, from the Latin hirtus, means hairy.

Conservation
It is classified as data deficient (DD) under the IUCN criteria.

Habitat
It occurs in small streams.