Nymphaea sulphurea

Nymphaea sulphurea is a species of waterlily native to Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Vegetative characteristics
Nymphaea sulphurea has stout, cone-shaped rhizomes. The suborbicular to broadly ovate, petiolate, 4.5-5.5 cm long leaves have an entire margin. The petioles are 38–46 cm long.

Generative characteristics
The flowers are 4.5–7 cm wide. The lanceolate sepals with acute apex are 2–3 cm long, and 1.5–1 cm wide. The dark sulphur yellow petals are 2.8–2 cm long, and 1.2-0.7 cm wide. The androecium consists of 40-50 stamens with bright yellow anthers. The gynoecium consists of 12-14 carpels.

Publication
It was first described by Ernest Friedrich Gilg in 1903.

Type specimen
The type specimen was collected by Hugo Baum in Minnesera on 17 January 1900.

Etymology
The specific epithet sulphurea, from the Latin sulphureus, means yellow, and refers to the floral colouration.

Conservation
The IUCN conservation status is Data Deficient (DD).

Habitat
Nymphaea sulphurea occurs in rivers, lakes, pools, and in deep waters.