Barclaya is a genus of six species of flowering plants of the family Nymphaeaceae. Barclaya are aquatic plants native to tropical Asia. The genus was named in honour of the American-born English brewer and patron of science Robert Barclay.

Description

Plants grow from egg-shaped tubers that produce short runners and a basal rosette of leaves. All leaves are submerged.

Taxonomy

Publication

The genus Barclaya Wall. was first published by Nathaniel Wallich in 1827. Though Hydrostemma is a name that is older than the name Barclaya, having been published 6 months earlier, the name Barclaya has been "conserved" as it was deemed being much better known than Hydrostemma.

Species

Disputed species include: They were resurrected in a recent revision of the genus, but are not accepted by some other sources, such as Plants of the World Online of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Rejected classification

The separate family Barclayaceae H.L.Li was published in 1955. It has been believed to be separate, due to the extended perianth tube (combined sepals and petals) arising from the top of the ovary and by stamens that are joined basally. However, morphological and genetic studies support the position of Barclaya in the family Nymphaeaceae. A separate order Barclayales Doweld was proposed in 2001. The accepted placement of Barclaya is within the family Nymphaeaceae of the order Nymphaeales.

Cytology

The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 36.

Habitat

Within tropical rainforests, Barclaya develops alongside streams or at their fringes. The escalating deforestation across Southeast Asia is causing the habitats to become clouded, endangering Barclaya.

Conservation

The IUCN conservation status of Barclaya longifolia is least concern (LC). The IUCN conservation status of Barclaya motleyi is data deficient (DD).

Use

In Laos, Barclaya longifolia is used for its edible leaves.

Cultivation

Barclaya longifolia is a popular aquarium plant. Under high light conditions the attractive, upright foliage displays green colouration. Under lower light conditions brownish foliage is produced. It easily sets seed in cultivation, if pollen is deposited on the stigma.