Comparative seed morphology of Mexican Nymphaea species

Seed morphology was studied in 10 species belonging to three subgenera of Nymphaea occurring in Mexico: subgenus Brachyceras (N. ampla, N. elegans, N. gracilis, N. pulchella); subgenus Hydrocallis (N. amazonum, N. conardii, N. jamesoniana, N. novogranatensis); and subgenus Nymphaea (N. mexicana, N. odorata). Phenetic relationships of Mexican species of Nymphaea were studied by cluster analysis (UPGMA). Among subgenera, the seeds showed morphological variation in shape, color, size, ornamentation of sclereids, and trichomes. A cluster analysis distinguished the three subgenera of Nymphaea in Mexico.