Nymphaea gardneriana Santarem

This remarkable, small waterlily from South America became known only recently as Nymphaea sp. “Santarem”. It was apparently collected in the Brazilian Amazon region near Santarém and probably introduced to Japan first. It is said to belong to Nymphaea gardneriana that is widespread in tropical South America. In Europe it is still a little known rarity. Its submerged leaves display olive green, brownish to reddish tones with a slight dark red spot pattern. The younger leaf stalks are finely haired. The plant stays quite low, especially under intense lighting. It propagates under aquarium conditions by runners.

Nymphaea gardneriana “Santarem” has apparently no special demands, however we recommend nutrient-rich substrate, rather strong lighting and a good CO₂ and nutrient supply via the water column. Low lighting causes long leaf stalks. Well-growing plants develop many runners in and above the ground, ending in young plantlets. Especially when the water level is low, this waterlily also develops floating leaves that can be removed if they are unwanted. However floating leaves should be left if development of flowers is desired. Nymphaea gardneriana is night-blooming as well as the related Nymphaea glandulifera; the white flowers are strongly scented.

This waterlily novelty looks nice in the foreground and midground. It offers interesting possibilities for the aquascaping, for example combined with slender driftwood and vertical, grass-like plants such as Eleocharis sp. “montevidensis”. It forms a decorative group by its runners.

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