Nymphaeaceae |
| Perennial or annual. Stems submerged, contracted and
corm-like or elongate, rhizomatous or stoloniferous.
Leaves alternate, usually radical; petioles submerged,
long and flexible; leaf blades submerged or floating,
rarely emergent, cordate or peltate, liniar to orbicular
or sagittate. Flowers solitary, bisexual, actinomorphic.
Sepals 4-6, free or adnate to the ovary. Petals rarely
absent, usually very numerous, in many series, often
gradually passing into stamens or staminodes. Stamens
numerous, free or adnate to petals. Carpels 3 or more,
united or partially united; stigmas united into a disc
with radiating rays; fruit an irregularly dehiscent
berry; seeds numerous, sometime arillate. © Christopher D.K. Cook |
