Nymphaea ampla

Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC.

Common Names: White Water Lily

Family: Nymphaeaceace

Habit: Nymphaea ampla grows as a perennial herb from with a basal rosette of leaves. The leaves are orbicular to 45 cm across with a rounded to acute leaf apex a serrulate/dentate margin. Adaxial surface often with red/purple spots.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flower is solitary and raised above the water surface. The calyx has numerous unfused green sepals. The corolla has numerous unfused white petals.  There are numerous stamens.  The ovary is inferior and has numerous locules containing numerous ovules.  The fruit is a many parted capsule at maturity.

Habitat: Nymphaea ampla grows in Fresh Water Wetlands.

Distribution: Nymphaea ampla occurs throughout the island groupings of the Lucayan Archipelago, the Caribbean, Mexico south to Central and South America.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Nymphaea ampla is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.