n] LEAVES OF ALISMACEAE 23 



flower, but leaves with lanceolate blades also occurring, e.g. Alisma grami- 

 nifolium, Ehrh. 



Stage II b. Band leaves of considerable importance, but the flowering 

 stage generally associated with aerial leaves with lanceolate blades^ e.g. 

 Echinodorus ranunculoides^ (L.) Engelm. 



Stage III. Band leaves still important and sometimes associated with 

 the flower, but floating leaves also produced, with a broadly elliptical 

 lamina, sharply marked off from the petiole, e.g. Elisma natans, (L.) 

 Buchenau. 



Stage IV a. Band-shaped leaves produced, as well as floating leaves and 

 air leaves with a slightly cordate base, e.g. Damasonium stellatum, (Rich.) 

 Pers. 



Stage IV b. Similar to Stage 1 Va, but the band leaves of less importance, 

 e.g. Alisma Plantago, (L.) Mich. 



Stage V. Similar to Stage IV, but the base of the lamina definitely cor- 

 date, giving a Nymphaeaceae-like leaf. Band leaves extremely reduced, 

 e.g. Caldesia parnassifolia y (Bassi) Parl. 



Stage VI. Air leaves of sagittate form. In the transition from the band 

 leaves to the mature leaves analogies can be found for all the preceding 

 types, e.g. Sagittaria sagittifolia, L. 



