Nymphaeaceae

8 gen., cosmop.

Nymphaea Zucc.

9 species in Aust. (3 introduced); Qld, NSW, Vic., NT, WA

Perennial, aquatic herbs with rhizomes corms or stolons. Leaves often large, usually on long petioles, floating, peltate or cordate. Flowers emergent, solitary, bisexual, regular. Sepals 3–5. Petals usually numerous and often grading into the stamens. Stamens numerous, epigynous; the connectives sometimes produced into an appendage. Ovary multi-locular, half-inferior; each loculus with numerous ovules scattered over the walls, filled with mucilage; stigmas as radiating ridges. Fruit a spongy berry breaking up irregularly when ripe.