Nymphaea ampla

Nymphaea ampla, the dotleaf waterlily, is a species of flowering plant in the family Nymphaeaceae.[2] It is native to Texas, Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern and western South America.[1]

Nymphaea ampla
In bloom in Guatemala
Botanical illustration
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Genus: Nymphaea
Species:
N. ampla
Binomial name
Nymphaea ampla
Synonyms[1]
  • Castalia ampla Salisb.
  • Leuconymphaea ampla (Salisb.) Kuntze
  • Nymphaea ampla var. parviflora Griseb.
  • Nymphaea ampla var. plumieri Planch.
  • Nymphaea candolleana Lehm.
  • Nymphaea sinuata Salzm. ex Planch., not validly publ.

Nymphaea ampla is widely represented in Mayan art, especially in its depictions with jaguars and Mayan kings. Its cultural importance can be seen in one of the Mayan names of the plant; nikte’ha’ ("vulva of the water") as it would have represented life, sexual activity, fertility, and birth. The plant causes opiate-like effects on the user and is known to have been used as a calmative and mild trance inducer.[3]

References
  1. "Nymphaea ampla (Salisb.) DC". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  2. "Nymphaea ampla". Plant Database. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  3. Emboden, W.A. (1979) "Nymphaea ampla and Other Mayan Narcotic Plants." Mexicon 1:50–52.


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