Nymphaea alba
Nymphaea alba L.
Nymphaeaceae – Water Lily Family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)]. BDA.
Morphology and biology. Perennial, aquatic herb with creeping rhizome. Stem not developed. Leaves floating, broadly elliptical ovate to orbicular, with a deep basal sinus, reddish beneath. Flowers 6–20 cm in diameter, faintly scented. Petals numerous, white, entire. Fruit semi-spherical to ovate capsule. Fl. VI– IX, fr. VII–IX. Reproduction by seeds and vegetatively.
Habitats and populations. Bogs, lakes and slow waters. Most localities known in the past were destroyed because of the long-term water pollution clean-up, more than 100 years, active tourism. In recent times, the species exists in the protected areas, plant nurseries, and drainage canals, where some elements from natural aquatic flora are preserved.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Black Sea coast (Ropotamo River, Arkutino bog, Kamchia River estuary, Shabla Lake), NE Bulgaria (Srebarna Lake, Garvansko marsh, the marsh near Malak Preslavets village, Kalimok-Brashlen Protected Site), Danubian Plain, Thracian Lowland (Maritsa river). In the past it was known from Toundzha Hilly Country (near the town of Yambol), Znepole region (Dragomansko bog), western Rhodopi Mts (former Batashko bog); up to 1000 alt.
General distribution. Europe, SW Asia, N Africa.
Threats. Aridisation of climate, degradation and loss of the habitats due to the draining and pollution of water bodies, development of the aggressive water tourism.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species according to the national Biodiversity Act. Some localities occur on the territory of Ropotamo and Kamchia Strict Nature Reserves, Srebarna and Velyov Vir Managed Nature Reserves, Shablensko Ezero, Kalimok-Brashlen, Blatoto Krai Malak Preslavets, Garvanski Blata, Martvitsata, Kochumina, Gola Bara Protected Sites. Some localities are in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria. The species has been reintroduced in Dragomansko marsh and in Zlato Pole Protected Site. A program for reintroduction of the species in Persinskite marshes is being implemented.
Conservation measures needed. Monitoring of the state of the populations, building of small water bodies, reconstruction of some Danube bogs.
References. Jordanov 1970; Vassilev 1984.
Authors: Dimitar Peev, Sonya Tsoneva
