| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperm-Dicots
Order: Nymphaeales
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Family Common Name: Water Lily Family
Genera: Nymphaea, Nuphar |
Defining Features: The family
has characters, which are similar to monocots, but is considered a dicot.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Actinomorphic and bisexual. Flowers are large and showy with
a long pedicle. Inflorescence is a solitary flower borne on the surface
of the water. Ovaries are superior to inferior with parietal placentation.
Fruit and Seed Features: Dicotyledon. Fruit is berry-like (baccate) and
spongy. Endosperm is present. Seeds have apical cap. Vegetative Features:
Habit as aquatic perennial herbs. They are tuberous or rhizomatous (acaulescent).
Leaves are simple and cordate or orbicular, alternate, opposite and occasionally
whorled. Leaf blades are submerged, floating on the surface of the water
or emergent. Leaves margins are entire, toothed or dissected. Stipules
are lacking.
Distribution: Worldwide in
aquatic environments.
Economic Use: As aquatic ornamentals
and important food source for aquatic animal species and birds.
Number of Genera Globally:
8
Number of Species Globally: 70
