Family Nymphaeaceae
Description: Perennial aquatic herbs. Stems either reduced and corm-like or rhizomatous.
Leaves alternate, broad-linear to circular, cordate [or peltate]; long-petiolate.
Flowers axillary, solitary. Sepals 4–6, free or fused to the ovary. Petals numerous [sometimes reduced]. Stamens numerous, free or fused to the petals. Carpels 3–numerous, fused or mostly so.
Fruit a berry; seeds numerous, arillate or not.
Distribution and occurrence: 6World: 6 genera, c. 80 species, cosmopolitan. Australia: 2 genera, c. 16 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic., N.T., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Nymphaeaceae, Order: Nymphaeales)
Wikipedia
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs (1993); edited KL Wilson (June 2010)
Taxon concept:
| One genus in NSW: Nymphaea |
|
