THE CUSTARD APPLE FAMILY ^ 



Other Water-Lilies. 



There is a red variety of the Lotas, viz., NymphcBa lotus var. 

 rubra {Kan. Kenneidile, Kendavare), which is the Egyptian 

 Lotus. The smaller sort of Xymph^ea, N. stellata, has red, white, 

 or blue flowers. The Sacred Lotus of India is Nelumbium 

 speciosmn {San. Padma), the funnel-shaped leaves and the large 

 rosy flowers of which are raised over the surface of the water. 

 The root-stock and the seeds are eaten. 



2. The Custard Apple Family 



(Anonaceae). 



Leaves alternate, simple; stipules 0. Flowers radial. Sepals three, 

 petals three or six. Stamens numerous. Carpels numerous, free. 

 Seeds large, endospermous. 



• The Custard Apple Tree (Anona squamosa). 



(Plate Xo. 653.) 

 {Kail. STtaphala. }Jal. Attacakka. Tam. Attamaram. San. Siibha.) 



1. Home. — The Custard Apple is cultivated in gardens in 

 the whole of India for its sweet, delicious fruit. Its original home 

 is the AVest Indies. 



2. Stem and Leaves. — The plant has a woody stem branching 

 from the ground. Such a type of plant is called a shrub. Its 

 branches are long and slender and bear alternate leaves in two 

 rows to right and left (bifarious). The leaves are short-petioled, 

 simple, oblong, entire, and glabrous. When crushed they have 

 an aromatic smell. 



3. The greenish Flowers grow single from the axils of the 

 leaves and are small and, therefore, little conspicuous. The 

 calyx consists of three small, triangular sepals, and the corolla 

 of as many thick, oblong petals, alternating with the sepals and 

 valvate in the bud. In the centre of the flower the receptacle 

 is thickly set with numerous short-stalked stamens in its lower 

 and outer part, and with numerous carpels, each with its short 



