THALAMIFLOR^ 7g 



3. The Water Lily Group (Summary). 



{Introductory Volume^ p. 4g.) 



In this group, the order Nymphaeacese, there are 

 two British plants, Nymphcea alba, White Water 

 Lily, with large petals, without a nectary, and 

 stamens inserted on the surface of the ovary ; 

 Ntiphar lutea, Yellow Water Lily (Introductory Vol., 

 p. 51), with small petals, with a nectary, and stamens 

 inserted below the ovary. 



The members of this group are natives of the 

 northern hemisphere, and are perennial, herbaceous, 

 aquatic plants. The leaves are floating, or sub- 

 merged, or aerial. The flowers are large and solitary. 

 The parts are spirally arranged, and the sepals pass 

 into petals, and the latter into stamens. The sepals 

 and petals and stamens stand on a fleshy disc 

 expanded upwards, surrounding and adhering to the 

 ovary. The ovary is many-celled and contains many 

 ovules. The stigmas are sessile and radiate. In the 

 carpels are air-cells, which enable the fruits to float 

 in the water. 



The flowers are conspicuous, scented and attract 

 insects, such as flies and beetles. The seeds are 

 surrounded by a fleshy, slimy mass, and birds feeding 

 on the fruit may carry some seeds away on their 

 feathers. The stems in this group have the structure 

 of Monocotyledons, and doubt existed at one time as 

 to whether they were to be placed in this group or in 



