Nymphaea spp.

[waterlily01.jpg (27960 bytes)][waterlily02.jpg (33277 bytes)[waterlilyblossom.jpg (29785 bytes)]

Photographed by Dana Lee Ling in Kamar, Nett, 01 November 1999.  Removal of plants from pond is prohibited by tradition.

Family- Nymphaeaceae

Order- Nympheaeles 

Genus- Nymphaea

Growth Form- Herb

Growth Location- Aquatic

Growth Environment- Tropical to rainforest; in a pond

Growth Zone- Temperate to tropical

Average Height- Varies, found in shallow waters

Leaf Arrangement- Whorled Arrangement

Petioles- Thin, tube-like submarine stem. Smooth and reddish, no
presence of hairs.

Leaf Blade- The floating leaves have a simple leathery blade that is nearly totally obicular. The leaf surface above water is green with a red underside underwater. It features a rounded apex. The base of the leaf also features an acutely-angled cavity that comes to a point at the center of the leaf. The leaf diameter ranges from one inch and up. Margin type is entire 
                  
Inflorescence- The flower stalks rise up from the base of the lily. This arrangement is called an Umbel inflorescence. In a confined basin, usually only four to six flowers bloom. But in the freedom of a pond, many more more flowers can be found. The flower pedicel is almost always underwater and its height varies depending on how deep the base of the lily is.

Flower- Flowers are supported by submarine stems. They are arranged zygomorphically, there is little symmetry displayed.

Corolla- Rotate corolla contains about 21 white petals. The petals are arranged freely in a polypeptalous fusion. 

Description by Robert Churney, Jr.

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