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PB ACTIO AL GUIDE TO GABDEN PLANTS nymph^a 



with divaricated lobes, on half-round 

 stallts. The large yellow flowers with 

 red anthers in the centre rise well above 

 the surface of the water in summer, on 

 round stalks. There are 6 sepals, purple 

 within, green outside. 

 Culture dc. as below. 



N. luteum [Yellow Water -Lily). — A 

 native of the still waters of Great Britain 

 and Ireland, with roundish, deeply 2-lobed 

 leaves 8-12 in. across. The fragrant 

 yellow flowers appear from June to August 

 slightly above the surface, having 5 sepals, 

 18-20 obovate wedge-shaped leathery 

 petals, and 10-30 rayed stigmas. The 

 variety intermedium has flowers 1^ in. 

 across, with 10-14 rayed stigmas, waved 

 at the margin. 



Culture Sc. as below. 



N. pumilum (Nymphma Kalmiana). 

 This plant is a native of Britain, and is 

 also fistributed over Arctic and Central 

 Europe and N. Asia. It is very similar 

 to-liV. hiteum, differing in the smaller 

 more rounded petals, and shorter anthers. 

 Stigmas 8-10-rayed, lobed at the margin. 

 The yellow flowers appear from June to 

 August. 



Culture Sc. as below. 



NYMPH./EA (Watee-Lily). — A 

 genus of aquatic plants with large floating 

 deeply heart-shaped or peltate leaves. 

 Flowers showy, solitary, red, white, blue, 

 and intermediate shades. Sepals 4, in- 

 serted almost at the base of the torus. 

 Petals numerous and stamens numerous, 

 adnate to the torus, the inner petals being 

 transforraed into stamens. Carpels nume- 

 rous, sunk in the fleshy disc, and with 

 it forming a many-celled ovary, crowned 

 by the connate radiating stigmas. Fruit 

 a spongy berry ripening under water. 



Culture am,d Propagation. — There are 

 altogether between 40 and 50 species of 

 Water-Lilies known, but most of them 

 are too tender for out-door cultivation 

 in the British Islands. Those described 

 below have been found to stand our 

 climate well, and should be grown by 

 all who have a small piece of water at 

 their disposal. They grow better in 

 natural ponds, pools, or quiet streams, 

 but may also be successfully flowered in 

 artificial tanks sunk in the ground to a 

 depth of about 3 ft. The rootstocks are 

 best planted in spring in about a foot of 

 soil beneath the water. To prevent the 

 soil being scattered it is a good plan to 



have it in a shallow basket or other 

 receptacle which will readily sink to the 

 bottom. Casks or tubs may also be used, 

 and if sunk level with the surface of the 

 ground the leaves and flowers will in due 

 course make a pretty picture during the 

 summer and autumn months. 



Water-Lilies are increased usually by 

 dividing the tuberous rootstocks and re- 

 planting them in spring as described 

 above. The rootstocks may be left in the 

 mud during the winter, or they may be 

 taken up and kept in a cool place in sand 

 until planting time. Seeds may also be 

 sown in autumn as soon as ripe. As the 

 fleshy fruits and seeds ripen under water 

 and are apt to be lost or destroyed by 

 water-fowl or insects &c., care should be 

 taken to secure them in good time, but 

 not before they are thoroughly ripe. The 

 seeds may be sown in pots or pans of 

 loamy soil, and just submerged in water — 

 if possible in a greenhouse where they can 

 be attended to, or if outside, under pro- 

 tection. In spring, when the small round 

 leaves appear and float on the water, each 

 seedling may be placed in a pot by itself 

 and again placed under water, to be grown 

 on until the following spring. If large 

 enough it may then be planted Uke the 

 older rootstocks in a pot or tub, from 

 which it cannot be easily lost during the 

 dormant period. 



For room decoration the blossoms are 

 admirably adapted. If out just as they 

 are opening and placed in shallow bowls 

 of water with some green foHage, they 

 make a handsome picture. The period 

 of their freshness may be extended by 

 cutting half an inch or so off the end of 

 the stalks, thus allowing a fresh layer of 

 cells to come in contact with the water. 

 The absorptive process goes on for a long 

 time in this way by renewing the cuts, 

 and the flowers retain their plumpness and 

 brilliancy much longer in consequence. 



The Queen's Water-Lily, the Victoria 

 Regia, which attracts so many thousands 

 to Kew every year, is closely related to 

 the common hardy Water-LUy. It is a 

 native of the Amazon Eiver, and the 

 circular leaves with upturned rims are 

 often 6 ft. or more in diameter. It is 

 raised from seed everj' year as described 

 above, but the seed pots are placed in 

 water up to 85° Fahr. 



N. alba. — This is the common white 

 Water-Lily of Great Britain and Ireland 

 and is a beautiftil early summer flowering 



