Nymphaea guineensis

Nymphaea guineensis is a species of waterlily native to the region spanning from tropical West Africa to Chad.

Vegetative characteristics
The leaves are 22 cm long, and 19 cm wide. The leaves have an entire margin. The abaxial leaf surface displays reddish colouration.

Generative characteristics
The flowers are 13 cm wide. The petals are purple and pointed. The globose, smooth fruit bears numerous subglobose, arillate seeds.

Publication
It was first described by Heinrich Christian Friedrich Schumacher and Peter Thonning in 1827.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by Thonning in Ghana. Insects have damaged the preserved specimen.

Placement within Nymphaea
It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Brachyceras.

Etymology
The specific epithet guineensis means "from Guinea".

Conservation
The IUCN conservation status is least concern (LC).

Habitat
In Togo, Nymphaea guineensis occurs in ponds. In Nigeria, it has been observed in temporary, shallow, bright, aquatic habitats, which are less than 50 cm deep, and dry out in between the rainy seasons. In Chad, it has also been observed in deep waters. In North Chad, a prosperous population has been observed in a semi-desert region.

Use
In the Ivory Coast, the cooked seeds are eaten.