NYMPHAEACEAE

WATERLILY FAMILY

William J. Stone

Perennial, aquatic; caudex or rhizome generally horizontal, generally large
Leaves alternate, arising directly from caudex; petiole long; blades generally floating, submersed, or slightly emergent
Inflorescence: flowers solitary, axillary; peduncle long
Flowers generally bisexual; sepals 3–many, sometimes petal-like; petals 0–many, sometimes scale- or stamen-like, inserted on receptacle or side of ovary; stamens many, spirally arranged, filaments generally broad; ovary ± compound, superior to inferior, chambers 5–many, ovules many, styles finger-like or 0
Fruit spongy, berry-like
Genera in family: 6 genera, ± 60 species: worldwide.

NYMPHAEA

WATERLILY, WATER NYMPH

Rhizomes or tuber prostrate to erect
Leaf: blade generally floating, elliptic to round, generally deeply notched, upper surface glabrous, green, lower surface often red or purplish tinged
Flower generally showy, fragrant; sepals generally 4, < petals, ± green; petals 12–many, white, red, blue, or yellow; stamens many, inserted on elevated part of ovary, outer filaments flat, sometimes petal-like, inner filaments linear; ovary compound, partly inferior, styles many, finger-like, spreading outward from central depression
Seeds enclosed in spongy aril
Species in genus: ± 45 species: tropical, n hemisphere, s Africa, Australia
Etymology: (Greek: water-nymph)

Introduced

N. mexicana Zucc.

YELLOW or BANANA WATERLILY

Tuber often erect
Leaf: blade 10–25 cm wide, ovate to ± round
Flower 6–10 cm, generally emergent; sepals, petals lanceolate to narrowly elliptic; petals generally ± 25, bright yellow; outer stamens generally 2–2.5 cm, anthers of inner stamens 4–6 mm; styles 7–9
Fruit 2–2.5 cm, ovoid
Seeds 4–5 mm
Ecology: Lakes, ponds, slow streams
Elevation: < 100 m.
Bioregional distribution: San Joaquin Valley (Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings cos.)
Distribution outside California: native to se US, Mexico
Weedy.