Morpho-biological characteristics of tropical water lilies in the Stavropol Botanical Garden

Abstract

Relevance. Water lilies are recognized as one of the most ornamental plants that play a significant role in the life of reservoirs and rivers.Methodology. The study of 15 species and varieties of tropical water lilies was carried out in the period 2016-2021 according to generally accepted methods.Results. It has been established that 40% of water lilies (Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea, N. lotus, N. lotus var. thermalis, N. rubra, N. capensis cv. Rosea, N. capensis var. alba) are characterized by a long vegetation period, which lasts 313.3±6.1 days. A short vegetation period of 140.6±42.7 days is typical for 60% of water lilies (Nymphaea х daubeniana, N. х daubeniana cv. Panama Pacific, N. х daubeniana cv. Suwahna, N. gigantean, N. gigantean cv. Gug, N. gigantean hybrida 1, N. cv. Mrs. George C. Hitchcock, N. cv. Nangkwaug Champooz, N. cv. Nangkwaug Fax). Depending on the species or variety, the duration of the flowering phase per year is for Nymphaea cv. Nangkwaug Fax, N. cv. Nangkwaug Apsara, N. lotus N. х daubeniana cv. Panama Pacific — 43-95 days, for the rest — 138-302 days. In 67% of species and varieties of water lilies, the sizes of leaf blades and flowers are close to natural and varietal indicators, in 33% the sizes do not match the varietal ones (Nymphaea х daubeniana cv. Panama Pacific, N. х daubeniana cv. Suwahna, N. gigantean cv. Gug, N. cv. Nangkwaug Apsara, N. cv. Nangkwaug Fax), they are 1.0-1.5 times smaller. According to the prospects — MP — unpromising (40%), P — promising (33%), OP — very promising (27%). Unpromising varieties are decorative for 100-130 days. Promising types and varieties of water lilies are decorative throughout the year, which has a positive effect on the perception of indoor compositions.