NYMPH-EACE.E. (WATER-LILY FAMILY.) 17 



Synopsis. 



SUBORDER I. CABOMBE.E. Caulescent, leafy. Flowers axillary, hypogynous. 

 Sepals and petals 3 - 4. Stamens G - 18. Ovaries 2-1S. Ovules suspended from the 

 dorsal suture. Carpels distinct, 1 -3-seeded. Embryo at the base of fleshy albumen. 

 1. CABOMBA. Stameus G. Submerged leaves finely dissected. 

 L'. BRASENIA. Stamens ] 2 -IS. Leaves entire, peltate, floating. 



SUBORDER _>. NELUMBONE.E. Stemless. Leaves floating. Flowers hypogynous. 

 Sepals and petals alike, deciduous. Stamens indefinite, the filaments prolonged 

 above the anthers. Ovaries 1-celled, 1-ovuled, embedded in the flat summit of the 

 large obconical receptacle. Seed suspended. Embryo large. Albumen none. 



3. NELUMBIUM. Characters of the Suborder. 



SUBORDER 3. NYMPHLEACE^. Stemless. Leaves floating, cordate. Flowers 

 solitary. Sepals 3-G. Petals numerous. Stamens indefinite. Ovary many-celled, 

 the numerous ovules inserted on the partitions. Fruit iudehiscent, baccate. Seed 

 albuminous. 



4. NYMPILEA. Petals perigynous. Stigma radiate. 



5. NUPHAR. Petals hypogynous. Stigma peltate. 



1. CABOMBA, Aublet. 



Sepals and petals 3. Stamens 6. Ovaries 2-4. Carpels 1 -3-seeded. 

 Steins filiform, brandling. Submerged leaves opposite, finely dissected, the 

 floating peltate, entire. Flowers small in the axils of the floating leaves. 



1. C. Caroliniana, Gray. Floating leaves small, linear-oblong ; flowers 

 long-pediiiided, white. Ponds and still water in the lower districts. July. 



2. BRASENIA, Schreber. WATER-SHIELD. 



Sepals and petals, 3 - 4. Stamens 12 - 18. Ovaries 4-18. Carpels 1-2- 

 seeded. Leaves alternate, peltate, entire. Flowers axillary, small. 



1. B. peltata, 1'ursh. Stem, petioles, and lower surface of the leaves 

 c< latt-d with a gelatinous exudation ; leaves 2' - 3' wide ; flowers dull purple. 

 Still water. July. 



3. NELUMBIUM, Juss. WATKR-CHINQFEI-IX. 



Characters of the Suborder. 



1. N. luteum, \Villd. Rhizoma thick, creeping; leaves 1-H wide, 

 centrally peltate, depressed in the centre, the petioles, like the peduncles, 

 more or less muricate ; flowers 5' -8' wide, pale yellow ; appendage of the 

 anther linear. Ponds and still water, chiefly in the lower districts. July. 



4. NYMPH^A, Tourn. WATER-LILY. 



Sepals 4. Petals inserted on the ovary. Stamens inserted above the petals, 

 the outer ones petal like. Stigmas as many as the cells of the ovary, linear, 

 incurved. Seed enclosed in a membranous aril. Petioles and peduncles 

 long and mostly spiral. 



1. N. odorata, Ait. Rootstock long, creeping; leaves orbicular ( 

 reniform ; 6' -12' wide; flowers white, 2' -6' wide, more or less fragrant - 

 Still water. May-Aug. 



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