Nymphaea prolifera

The flowers are likely entomophilous (i.e. insect-pollinated).^[12]

In Mexico, Nymphaea prolifera was collected in temporarily flooded meadows at the roadside, at depths of 30 to 60 cm. The populations appear shortly after the onset of the rainy season.^[10] Its habitat within the Pantanal consists of flooded clay fields.^[13] It is also found in swamps, temporary ponds, pastures.^[12]

This species experiences low levels of herbivory in the growth period. This may be explained by a high tannin content of 5.40%, as tannins are known to reduce insect herbivory.^[8] Few occurrences of adult Hydrotimetes natans beetles, which are being used as a biological control agent of Cabomba caroliniana in Australia, have been observed on Nymphaea prolifera in its natural habitat. In a laboratory setting, it was shown that adult beetles can feed on Nymphaea prolifera leaves, although it prefers Cabomba caroliniana. The beetle larvae are host specific to Cabomba and fails to enter stems of Nymphaea prolifera.^[14] The feeding behaviour of a different beetle species Neochetina eichhorniae was also evaluated. Despite the high nitrogen and low lignin contents of Nymphaea prolifera foliage, the beetle showed a low preference for Nymphaea prolifera as a food source and it is unlikely this beetle would feed on Nymphaea prolifera under natural conditions.^[15] In its natural habitat, 13.3% of leaves had petioles damaged by endophagous larva.^[16]

Nymphaea prolifera synthesises methylated benzenoids to repel waterlily aphids, which feed on the flowers.^[17]

It is rarely cultivated.^[18]