Taxonomy Nymphaea elegans. 



133 



from the width of the anther at top of filament to about one-half as wide at base. 

 All of the anthers longer than the filaments. (See measurements at end of descrip- 

 tion.) Ovary nearly hemispherical, with a naked ring on the sides between petals and 

 stamens. Carpels 15 to 25; styles yellow, erect, minute, 0.8 mm. long, a little 

 broader than high, acute, the tip projecting as a very small point beyond and above 

 the broadly rounded and centrally grooved stigmatic ray. Stigma more or less curved 

 funnel-shape, with large central depression, in which the slender, conical, acute axile 

 process stands free. Diameter of stigma 0.8 cm. ; depth of depression 0.3 cm. ; height 

 of axile process 0.2 cm. Fruit rounded, much depressed, cheese-shaped, 3.2 cm. in 

 diameter by 2.2 cm. high, to 3.5 cm. in diameter by 1.9 cm. high, of a pale greenish color, 

 subtended by the persistent sepals, contracted above to the low crown of hard, inwardly- 

 directed styles; stigma basin-shaped, about 1.6 cm. in diameter, black, radially striate- 

 sulcate; axile process broadly conical and obtuse. Seeds nearly globose, about 0.13 cm. 

 in diameter, mucronate at hilum by persistence of a portion of the funiculus, dull olive 

 green, smooth, with rather strong raphe. Aril about as long as the seed, and closely 

 investing it. 



Germination may occur immediately on ripening of seed, or after a period of 

 drought. First leaf of seedling filiform, 1.6 to 2.8 cm. long. Second leaf ovate, narrowed 

 above, obtuse, 1.12 cm. long by 0.48 cm. wide, rounded at base; petiole 0.8 cm. long. 

 Third leaf like second, but with slightly cordate base. Fourth leaf broader and more 

 cordate at base. Fifth leaf broadly ovate, cordate, with rounded apex and basal lobes. 



First submerged leaf from small tuber (Fig. 34) narrowly triangular, acute at 

 apex ; base truncate with rounded angles. Second leaf typically cordate, acute. First 

 three floating leaves entire, ovate, broadest about midway of length, with rather wide 

 sinus; apex broadly rounded, angles rounded; first two leaves green on both sides, 

 third green above, purplish beneath. Fourth floating leaf speckled above with small 

 brownish blotches, under surface brownish red with a number of fine darker specks ; 

 margin wavy on outside of lobes. 



Measurements of Leaves from Small Tuber (in cm.). 



First submerged . . 

 Second submerged 

 Second floating . . . 

 Fourth floating . . . 



Length of 

 Midrib. 



1.6 



2-5 



2.6 



Length 



from 

 Apex to 



Angle. 



1-55 

 2.9 



4-5 



5-7 



Depth of 

 Sinus. 



O 



0-45 

 1.9 



2-55 



Width of 

 Leaf. 



0.5 

 1.9 

 3-0 



4.15 



Width of 



Sinus. 



1.0 



1.2 



Leaf of mature plant broadly oval, or at times nearly orbicular ; breadth : length = 

 1: 1.3; usual length 15 to 18 cm., peltate by 0.6 to 2.0 cm., of rather thin texture, 

 entire in upper half, very gently sinuate-dentate in basal half; apex rounded. Upper 

 surface dark green, with small blackish-purple markings when young; under surface 

 bright purplish-red with frequent blue-purple spots, greenish along the midline. Veins 

 prominent out to the sixth grade; principal nerves 6 to 8 on each side; length of prin- 

 cipal area : radius of leaf = 1 : 1.76. Sinus open, depth : length of leaf = 1 : 3 



