CERATOPH YLLACE AE 2 1 9 



Ceratophyllum (Homworf) is the only genus of plants 

 which, apart from Najadaceae, bears permanently submerged 

 flowers (hydrophilous). When the anthers have reached the 

 stage of dehiscence, they are forced out of the flower, 

 and, rising towards the surface of the water, scatter 

 their pollen among the interwoven masses of leaves and 

 stems, thus enabling it to reach the female flowers. The 

 stigma of the ? flower does not possess any papillae, but 



Fig. 97. Ceratophyllum demersum L. A. Plant with </ and ^ flowers. B. <£ flower. 

 C. £ flower in long, section. D. Stamen, back view. E. $ flower with perianth. 

 F. Long, section of pistil. G. Diagram of J flower, f. Bract. H. Transverse 

 section through fruit. /. Median long, section through fruit, the spines omitted. 

 c. One of the cotyledons, f. First pair of leaves standing at right angles to the 

 cotyledons. K. Germination of fruit. (From Engler and Prantl) 



the under side of the curved style is viscid and thus 

 capable of retaining the pollen grains. 



The fruit floats on the water for a short time and, finally sinking to the 

 bottom, becomes anchored by means of hooked appendages. On germination it 

 produces roots, but these soon deteriorate, and the plants float at or near the 

 surface of the water. C. demersum, widely spread, occurs in Natal. 



