154 IX. NYMPH^ACE^. NUPHAR, 



but occasionally met with in Ct. and N. Y. Rhizoma creeping in mud in 

 depths of water from 2 or 3 to 6 f. From this arise the simple scapes and 

 petioles to the surface. Leaves 10 18' diam., the petioles inserted on one side 

 of the centre. Flowers several times larger than those of Nymphaea odorata, 

 and without fragrance. Petals concave, of a brilliant white, becoming yellow 

 towards the base. The nuts imbedded in the torus are about the size of acorns, 

 and are used for food by the Indians. June. 



ORDER IX. NYMPH.EACEJE. WATER LILIES. 



Herbs aquatic, with peltate or cordate leaves from a prostrate rhiz oma. 



Fls. large, showy, often sweet-scented. 



CaL Sepals and petals numerous, imbricated, gradually passing into each other. Sep. persistent. 



Cor. ( Pet. inserted upon the disk which surrounds the pistil. 



Sta. numerous, in several rows upon the disk. Fil. petalqid. Anth. adnate, introrse. 



Ova. many-celled, many-seeded, surrounded by a fleshy disk. 



Sds. attached to the spongy placentae, and enveloped in a gelatinous aril. 



Genera 5, species 50, inhabiting the northern hemisphere. Their general aspect is that of an endogen. 

 but they have two foliaceous cotyledons. The stems of Nymphaoa contain a powerful astringent princi- 

 ple, which is removed by repeated washing in water, after which they are tasteless and may be used 

 for food. 



Genera. 



Flowers white or rose-color, ' Nymph&a. \ 



Flowers yellow , Ntt^phar. 2 



1. NYMPH^A. 



The Greek Nymph or Naiad of the waters. 



Sepals 4 5 ; petals 00, inserted on the torus at its base ; stamens 

 gradually transformed into petals ; stigma surrounded with rays ; 

 pericarp many-celled, many-seeded.^ Aquatic. 



N. ODORATA. Water Lily. 



Lvs. orbicular, cordate, entire, with veins prominent beneath ; cal. 4-se- 

 paled, equaling the petals; stig. 15 20-rayed. One of the loveliest of flowers, 

 possessing beauty, delicacy and fragrance in the highest degree. Ponds and slug- 

 gish streams, N. Am. E. of R. Mts. Rhizoma thick, in mud where the water 

 is of 3 8 or lOf in depth, sending up leaves and flowers to the surface. 

 Leaves 5 6' diam., dark shining green above, cleft at the base quite to the 

 insertion of the long petiole. Sepals colored within. Petals lanceolate, 1 2' 

 long, of the most delicate texture, white, tinged with purple. Filaments yellow, 

 dilated gradually from the inner to the outer series so as to pass insensibly into 

 petals. ($72.) July. 

 0. rosea. Ph. Petals stained with purple. Mass. 



2. NUPHAR. Smith. 



Sepals 5 or 6, oblong, concave, colored within ; corolla of numerous 

 small petals furrowed externally, and inserted with the numerous, 

 truncated, linear stamens on the torus ; stigma discoid, with promi- 

 nent rays ; pericarp many-celled, many-seeded. 7|. Aquatic. 



1. N. ADVENA. Ait. (Nymphaea Adv. Me.) Yellmv Pond Lily. 



Lvs. oval, rounded at apex, with rounded, diverging lobes at base ; scp. 6 ; 

 pet. 00 ; stig. 12 15-rayed, margin crenate. Very common in sluggish streams 

 7.nd muddy lakes, Can. to Ga. W. to Oreg. A well looking and very curious 

 plant, but from its filthy habits it has been called, with some justice, the frog 

 lily. The rhizoma is large, creeping extensively. Leaves large, dark green, 

 shining above, and, when floating, pale and slimy beneath. Petioles half 

 round. Flowers rather large and globular in form, erect, on a thick, rigid 

 stalk. Three outer sepals yellow inside, and the three inner entirely yellow, as 

 well as the petals and stamens. Jn. Jl. 



0. tomentosa. T. & G. (N. tomentosa. Nutt.) Lvs. canescently tomer> 

 tose beneath. 



