Outer stamen of Nymphaea alba without an apical sterile appendage
Adaxial leaf surface of Nymphaea odorata subsp. tuberosa
Abaxial leaf surface of Nymphaea odorata subsp. tuberosa
Vegetative characteristics
Species of Nymphaea subg. Nymphaea have horizontal or vertical rhizomes. The leaf margins are entire, sinuate or crenate, but never dentate.[4]
Generative characteristics
The diurnal flowers float on the water surface.[4] The outer stamens have petaloid filaments.[5] The stamens do not have a sterile appendage at the apex.[4][6] The carpellary styles are ligulate.[5][6] The petals are predominantly white, but pink, red, and yellow colouration occurs as well.[6] The large seeds have a smooth surface.[4]
^ abWood, Carroll E. (1959). The Genera of the Nymphaeaceae and Ceratophyllaceae in the Southeastern United States. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum, 40, 94–112. Retrieved from https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/324659