Nymphaea × thiona

Nymphaea × thiona is a species of waterlily native to the US-American states Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. Additionally, it has been introduced to Costa Rica, as well as the US-American states Kentucky, and Nevada. It is a natural hybrid of Nymphaea mexicana and Nymphaea odorata.

Vegetative characteristics
It exhibits more vigorous growth than its parent species.

Generative characteristics
The flowers extend above the water surface. The flowers are larger than flowers of Nymphaea mexicana, and more yellow than Nymphaea odorata flowers. Fruits are unknown.

Generative reproduction
It is a sterile hybrid. Fruits have never been observed.

Publication
It was first described by Daniel Bertram Ward in 1977.

Type specimen
Type specimen was collected by C. Hoy in drainage canals of marshes in St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, in Wakulla County, Florida, USA on the 15th of April 1962.

Etymology
The specific epithet thiona expresses an association to the name Sulphur Waterlily.

Habitat
It exists only in areas of sympatric occurrence of the two parent species.

Cultivation
It is also known from artificial, horticultural hybridisation.