BERBERIDACEjE NYMPH^EACE^E 361 



stamens 8, with linear anthers on slim filaments ; stigma peltate, with many 

 ovules on lateral placentae: pod green, leathery, becoming pear-shaped and 

 dehisces by a lid, opening half-way round the upper part, from which the 

 many, rounded seeds, arilled on one side, spill forth. 



J. diphylla, Pers. Scape erect to 8 or 12 in.: leaves divided longitu- 

 dinally into 2 parts, with usually entire margins. Very interesting little 

 plant in rich woods, spring: sometimes cultivated. 



3. PODOPHYLLUM. MAY APPLE. MANDRAKE. 



Smooth perennials from creeping horizontal rootstocks, and thick, 

 fibrous roots: stems smooth, simple, carrying large, peltate, glossy-green 

 leaves and a solitary white flower: sepals 6, petal-like, soon falling; petals 

 6-9, concave, broad and large; stamens as many or twice as many as petals; 

 pistil 1, with sessile, large, thick, stigma: fruit a large, fleshy, oval, 1-celled 

 berry, filled by many seeds, each seed inclosed in a pulpy aril, edible. 



P. peltatum, Linn. Leaves 2, large, orbicular, peltate, deeply 5-9-lobed 

 and few-toothed: flowers fragrant, solitary from the common axil of the 2 

 stem leaves, borne on a short, recurved peduncle: petals, large, white, wax- 

 like: common in rich, shady, woodland, often in large patches. May, June. 



XVII. NYMPrLEACE^E. WATER-LILY FAMILY. 



Aquatic, perennial herbs, with very large rootstocks tinder water: 

 leaves large, peltate or heart-shaped, often floating: flowers solitary, 

 on axillary peduncles; sepals 35 or 6; petals 5 to many; stamens 5 

 to many, with large, erect anthers; carpels 3 to many, distinct, or united 

 in a circle or with the receptacle: fruit indehiscent, or group of distinct 

 carpels. Eight genera, -of wide distribution in fresh water. The great 

 Victoria Regia of the Amazon, and often cultivated, belongs here. 



A. Flowers white: sepals 4 1. Castalia 



AA. Flowers yellow: sepals 5 or more 2. Nymphaea 



1. CASTALIA. WATER-LILY. 



Herbs with floating leaves a'nd beautiful, large, many-petaled flowers: 

 sepals 4, white, green without; petals large, wax-like, gradually becoming 

 smaller, and passing into the yellow stamens which are adherent to the 

 many-celled ovary; stigmas radiate (as in a poppy head) from a center: 

 fruit ripens under water. 



C. odorata, Woodville & Wood. White water-lily. Flower 2-6 in. across, 

 very sweet-scented: petals oftenest white, sometimes tinged with pinkish. 

 Common. 



2. NYMPHJfcA. YELLOW POND-LILY. 



Distinguished from the water-lily by the leaves, which are more or less 

 heart-shaped, floating or erect: also by the flowers, which are 2-3 in. in 



