Flora Medica

NYMPH^EACE^E.Nat. syst.ed. 2. p. 10.NUPHAR.Sepals 5-6, petaloid, hypogynous, permanent. Petals 10-18,hypogynous, much smaller than the sepals, secreting honeyfrom their back. Stamens numerous, hypogynous, springingwith elasticity from the ovary about the time of flowering.Capsule dry, indehiscent, 10-18-celled, crowned by a stellatepeltate stigma, with the same number of rays. Seeds indefinitein number.49. N. lutea Smith prodr.i. 361. DC. prodr.i. 1 16 Nvppwo,Theophrastus. Nv//.p*a aXXy or Novpap Dioscorides. Nymphaealutea Linn, sp.pl. 729. t.Eng.Bot. 159. In rivers andponds in all parts of Europe ; also in the United States.Petioles obscurely triangular, smooth. Leaves cordate oblong, floating,bright green on each side ;with the auricles approximated. Pedunclestaper. Flowers yellow. Sepals 5, green at the back, veryobtuse. Petals much smaller. Stigma quite entire, of a firm cartilaginousor horny texture, always yellow, with as many as 20 rays. Rootstockslightly poisonous ;beetles and cockroaches are said to be killedby its infusion in milk ; it has been reputed sedative and anti-aphrodisiac.NYMPELEA.Sepals 4, arising from the side of the ovary. Petals 16-28,perigynous, gradually diminishbg towards the centre and thenchanging into numerous perigynous stamens. Capsule dry, indehiscent,16-20-celled, with a sessile peltate stigma havingthe same number of rays;covered over by the withered sepalsand petals.A papillain the centre of the peltate stigma.50. N. alba Linn. sp. pi. 729. Eng.hot. t. 160. Fl. Dan.t. 602. DC. prodr.i. 115. 2*8^, Theophrastus. Nv/*fa*,Dioscorides. The waters of all parts of Europe also in ; theUnited States (?).Petioles taper, smooth, long in proportion to the depth of water.Leaves ovate-orbicular, deeply cordate at base, quite entire, furnishedbeneath with a broad prominent midrib and 7 radiant veins on eachside ;the auricles approximated and obtuse. Pedicels like the petioles.Flowers white. Flowerbuds ovate-ol)long, somewhat square at thebase. Sepals 4, green externally, white inside. Petals 28, namely in7 rows of 4 each, adhering to the ovary, and in decaying leaving 7spiral lines of stars around the ovary. Stamens numerous, the ex-19 c 2