450 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE Vol. XXIV, 1917 
From these data it appears that this group of plants shows 
morphological characters which have hitherto been thought 
characteristic of both Nymphaea odorata and N. tuberosa. All of 
the Cleark Lake plants are stouter in petiole and peduncle, and 
larger in flower than any form of N. odorata , except the var. 
gigantea. And they do not ever show the upturned leaf margin 
which is so characteristic of that variety. In the time of open- 
ing and closing of flowers the Clear Lake plants agree with N. 
tuberosa. 
That we are not dealing with a mixed stand of the two species 
is shown by frequent mingling of characters in one plant. One 
noted as having very sweet-scented flowers had strongly striped 
petioles, and leaves bright red-purple beneath. Another, with 
water only 50 cm. deep, had many typical tubers, strongly striped 
petioles, and leaves bright red-purple beneath. Another, with 
large rhizome and distinct tubers in addition to branches, had 
petioles pure green. One with stout, striped peduncle, had a 
flower whose outer petals were 7.5 cm. long and elliptic-lanceolate 
(Table 2). And- so on, as shown by the subjoined tables. 
It is possible that this is a group of hybrids, but there is no 
way of being certain of it. It seems more probable that we have 
to do with a form of N. tuberosa. In this case the diagnostic 
characters would be reduced to the generally larger size of the 
plant in all its parts, the formation of tubers under suitable con- 
ditions, and the hours of opening and closing of the flowers. 
Doubtless the seed character would also remain distinctive. 
Further detailed records of the Clear Lake plants are ap- 
pended. It is hoped that similar and more critical observations 
can be made in other localities in Iowa and neighboring states. 
The writer will be glad to assist observers in any way possible. 
TABLE 1— NUMBER OF FLORAL ORGANS. 
* 
Flower 
No. 1 
l 2 
3 
l 4 
5 
6t 
Average 
Sepals—, 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
4 
Petals—, 
34 
31 
31 
39 
31 
39; ±spatulate 
29; ± spatulate 
33; spatulate 
32+ 
Stamens 
51 
92 
82 
.104 
85 
105 
105 
72 
92+ 
Carpels.. 
. 2 i 
13 
16 
17 
15 
15 
16 
13 
15 
* Abnormal not averaged. fPeduncle not striped. 
^Peduncle striped. 
