FLOW. PL. AFR. Pl. 6.
J. Fleischmann del.
Limnophyton obtusifolium (L.) Miq.
A Plant in flower. B Male flower from above. C Male flower cut lengthwise.
[FAMILY 9.] NAIADACEAE
Herbs growing in fresh or brackish water. Leaves linear, toothed or spiny. Flowers axillary, solitary or in glomerules, unisexual. Perianth little developed, in the male flowers simple or double, sack-like, in the female simple and sack-like or wanting. Stamen 1. Anthers 1-or 4-celled. Pollen-grains globular or ovoid. Ovary 1-celled. Ovule 1, erect, inverted. Style 1; stigmas 2-3. Seed with a hard coat, exalbuminous. Embryo straight, with a large radicle and a well developed plumule.
Genus 1, species 10. (Including Caulinia A. Braun) Naias L.
[FAMILY 10.] APONOGETONACEAE
Aquatic herbs with a tuberous root-stock. Leaves radical, narrow, with several longitudinal and many transverse nerves. Flowers in 1-4 spikes connected at the base, enclosed when young in a sheath, and rising above the water. Perianth of 1-3 more or less brightly coloured segments. Stamens 6 or more, hypogynous, free. Anthers attached by the base, opening with two longitudinal slits. Carpels 3-8, distinct. Ovules in each carpel 2-8, basal or sutural, ascending, inverted. Fruits membranous, dehiscent. Seeds 2 or more, erect, exalbuminous, with a straight embryo. (Under NAIADACEAE.) (Plate 5.)