Nymphaea gracilis is a species of waterlily endemic to Mexico. It is the only species of its genus which is endemic to Mexico.
Nymphaea gracilis has very short, subglobose rhizomes densely covered with fibrous roots. The petiolate, glabrous, orbicular floating leaves with dentate margins are 35âÂÂ40 cm long, and 28âÂÂ35 cm wide. The adaxial leaf surface is bright green, and the abaxial leaf surface is suffused with purple colouration. The terete, 1.2 cm wide petiole is 60âÂÂ150 cm long.
The flowers are 8âÂÂ10 cm wide, and extend up to 20âÂÂ40 cm above the water surface. They have four lanceolate, green sepals and 18-20 white sepals. The androecium consists of 60 stamens. The gynoecium consists of 12-15 carpels. The globose 2âÂÂ3.5 cm wide fruit bears arillate seeds with a reticulate testa, and trichomes. The flowers are fragrant.
Nymphaea gracilis is facultatively xenogamous.
It was first described by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in 1832.
It is placed in Nymphaea subgenus Brachyceras.
The specific epithet gracilis means thin, slender or graceful.
It is considered to be in danger of extinction.
It grows in canals, swamps, shallow ponds, dams, and lakes.
The flowers attract flies and bees. The bee species Apis mellifera is the most important pollinator of Nymphaea gracilis, followed by the fly species Allograpta obliqua, and Asemosyrphus sp.
The rhizomes are eaten both by humans and livestock.
It has been used in artificial hybridisation to create new waterlily cultivars.