Nymphaea loriana

Nymphaea loriana is a species of waterlily endemic to Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, Canada.

Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea loriana has branching, 2 cm wide rhizomes. The membranous submerged leaves are 8-10 cm long, and 8-12 cm wide. The suborbicular to ovate-elliptic, 10–21 cm long, and 8-18 cm wide floating leaves have a papery texture. The adaxial leaf surface is green, and the abaxial leaf surface is bright green with occasional purple colouration.

Generative characteristics
The 7.5–10 cm wide flowers have four sepals, and 12–21 petals. The androecium consists of 33–48 yellow stamens. The gynoecium consists of 8–11 carpels. The 2-2.5 cm wide fruits with coiled peduncles bear 3.5-4 mm long, 2.5-3 mm wide, arillate, greenish-brown, ovoid, smooth seeds.

Generative reproduction
Despite being of hybrid origin, Nymphaea loriana is fertile.

Publication
It was first described by John Harry Wiersema, Carl Barre Hellquist, and Thomas Borsch in 2014.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by John Harry Wiersema, Carl Barre Hellquist, and Thomas Borsch in Egg Lake, south of Cumberland House, Saskatchewa, Canada on the 18th of August 2000.

Placement within Nymphaea
It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Nymphaea.

Natural hybridisation
Nymphaea loriana is of hybrid origin.

Etymology
The specific epithet loriana refers to Lori Wittlake Wiersema (1958–2013), the wife of John Harry Wiersema.

Conservation
The IUCN conservation status is endangered (EN). The NatureServe conservation status is Critically Imperiled (G1).

Habitat
Nymphaea loriana is found in lakes, ponds, marshes, or streams with clear, stagnant, or gently flowing water at depths of 1.5–2 meters. It requires clear water.