Using White Star (Nymphoides humboldtiana) for lake landscaping

ABSTRACT White Star (Nymphoides humboldtiana), an aquatic-environmental native species of Brazilian flora, was selected in order to be used as ornamental plant in lakes. White Star plants were submitted to two water levels (high water level, up to 30 cm water depth and, low water level until substrate saturation) and two light intensities (full sun and 50% shading) to evaluate vegetative and flowering development. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a subplot scheme, being the water level the main plot and luminosity the subplot. Seven replicates were performed, and the sample unit consisted of one plant. Data related to number of leaves and flowers, length and diameter of petioles and leaf area were submitted to analyze of variance and regression. We observed an increase in number of leaves and flowers in the treatment of high water level in full sun, and an increase of petiole length in high water level with shading. No difference between leaf area of plants grown under full sun and with shading (p<0.05) was observed. At low water level, plants presented lower vegetative development than those grown at high water level, besides the flowering inhibition in shaded condition. These results demonstrated that White Star can be used in ornamental lakes with a water depth of at least 20 cm above the rhizome and exposed to full sun.