Image of Nymphaea thermarum by Andrew McRobb

The world’s smallest waterlily, the thermal lily (Nymphaea thermarum), has been grown from seed at Kew Gardens. This tiny species of waterlily is a specialist—before becoming extinct in the wild, it could be found “in the hot springs of Rwanda.” According to Kew Gardens, “Nymphaea thermarum is the smallest waterlily in the world, and the only Nymphaea to grow in damp mud rather than water.” More on Nymphaea thermarum via Kew Gardens:

This ‘thermal’ waterlily, which grew around freshwater hot springs, was discovered in 1987 by German botanist Professor Eberhard Fischer of Koblenz-Landau University. It is known from just one location in Mashyuza, in southwest Rwanda. However, it disappeared from there about two years ago due to over-exploitation of the hot spring that fed this fragile habitat. Water was prevented from reaching the surface, resulting in the desiccation of the few square metres where this species grew, and no plant is known to have survived in the wild.

Video: Plants back from the brink (mentions Nymphaea thermarum):

What you see here, on this bench, is the world’s total population of [the thermal lily].

Video: Waterlily saved from extinction:

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::