S8 ?I. NYMPll^ACEiE. 



2. NYMPHiEA, Linn. 



(From Xyiiip/u; a water nymph.) 



Sepals 4, inserted near the hase of the torus. Petals numerous, passing 

 gradually from the sepals to the stamens, inserted on the torus or ovary, the 

 outer petals near the base, the inner stamens almost at the top. Filaments of 

 the outer stamens dilated and petal-like, with small lateral anther-cells, of the 

 inner ones narrow or filiform, with longer anthers opening inwards. Carpels 

 several, immersed in a ring in the fleshy torus, having the appearance of a 

 several-celled ovary, with a conical or globular process in the centre. Styles 

 thick, radiating, free or united at the base, often with an incurved appendage 

 beyond the stigmatic portion. Ovules numerous, pendulous from the sides of 

 the cavity. Fruit a spongy berry, breaking up irregularly when ripe. Seeds 

 embedded in pulp, arillate, albuminous. Ehizome perennial. Leaves floating, 

 peltate or very deeply cordate. Flowers large, solitary, floating on the surface of 

 the water or slightly raised above it, on long radical peduncles. 



The species of this genus are met with in most temperate and tropical regions. 



Rhizome globose, rather large. Leaves sharply toothed, flowers white, petals 

 obtuse, stamens without appendages beyond the anther 1. ^^ lotus. 



Rhizome globose, rather large. Leaves more or less toothed, often 18in. in 

 diameter, with much raised reticulations underpeath. Flowers often 10 or 

 12in. across, anther appendage very short or none 2. .N. gigantea. 



Rhizome globose, small. Leaves usually quite entire, the reticulation on the 

 underside not raised. Anther appendage very short or none, petals more 

 acute than in N. gigantea 3. ^. Brownii. 



Rhizome not preserved. Leaves quite entire, cordate, 1 to Sin. long ; flowers 

 white, often stained with purple, sepals and petals acute. Expanded 

 flowers about IJ to 2in. diameter i. N. tetragona. 



Rhizome erect, prominently tubereulose. Leaves broadly oblong, often purplish 

 on the underside. Flowers yellow 5. N. Jlava. 



1. N. lotus, var. australis (Austrahan), Syn. Ql. Flora 10. This plant is of 

 more compact growth and taller than other Australian species. Leaves in shape 

 and size much like those of X. gyjantea, thick, somewhat spongy on the under 

 surfac 3, where the reticulation is prominent, but the veins are not so much raised 

 as in N. c/iijantea, margins bearing distant bristle-like teeth. Flowers 4 or 5in. 

 diameter, very fragrant, often raised some distance above the water, white, but 

 sometimes the sepals and outer petals tinged with pink or blue. Petals usually 

 more or less obtuse. Anthers without appendages, except the somewhat subulate 

 points be considered as such. 



Hab. : Still waters off the Barron River. 



2. If. gigantea (large), Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 4647 ; Benth. Fl. Austr. i. 61. 

 Blue water lily ("Arnurna," Mitchell, Palmer: "Yako-kalo," Eockhampton, 

 Tlwzet; "Kaooroo," Cleveland Bay, Tlwzet ; " Moi-u," Brisbane; "Thindah" 

 (root), " Thoolambool " (stalk), " Mille " (seedhead), Cloncurry (Mycoolon tribe), 

 Palnier.- " Thoongoon " (root), " UrguUathy " (seedstalk), " Irrpo " (seedhead), 

 Mitchell, f aimer). Leaves orbicular or very broadly ovate, very deeply cordate 

 the early leaves as well as the flowers much smaller thkn the ultimate ones but 

 always with prominently raised reticulation on the under side, margins entire or 

 with distant short teeth. Flowers blue, 6 to 12in. across ; petals and stamens 

 numerous, filaments fihform or the outer ones flattened, but narrowed under the 

 anther ; connective scarcely projecting beyond the cells. Stigmas thick, radiat- 

 ing, united at the base, either without any or with only a very short terminal 

 appendage. 



Hab : Waters of the southern and northern parts of the colony. The tubers after m-enam- 

 twn, the seedheads, and also the flower-stalis of the unexpanded fleers afer being broken and 

 deprived of their fibrous part, are eaten by natives.— TAoxet, Palmer, "loKen ana 



