Nymphaea elleniae

Nymphaea elleniae is a species of waterlily native to Papua New Guinea, and North Queensland, Australia.

Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea elleniae is a perennial plant with elongate rhizomes. Mature floating leaves are 22 cm long, and 18 cm wide.

Generative characteristics
The flowers, which are only open during daytime, can extend up to 20 cm above the water surface. The four 7 cm long sepals have an acute to obtuse apex. The 25 lanceolate petals have an acute to obtuse apex. The androecium consists of 100 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 11-22 carpels. The globose, 2.5 cm wide fruit bears numerous glabrous, elliptical, 1.75-2.5 mm long, 1-1.5 mm wide seeds.

Generative reproduction
Flowering occurs from April to December.

Publication
It was first described by Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs in 1992.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by S. Jacobs & J. Clarkson in Jardine River, Queensland, Australia on the 6th of August 1987.

Placement within Nymphaea
It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Anecphya.

Etymology
The specific epithet elleniae refers to Ellen A. Jacobs, the daughter of Surrey Wilfrid Laurance Jacobs.

Conservation
The NCA status of Nymphaea elleniae is Special Least Concern.

Habitat
It is found in up to 5 m deep waters.