Hydrocleis water-lily-like

Family Limnocharitaceae. Grows in the waters of the tropics and subtropics of South America, extending south to Buenos Aires.

Aquatic rhizomatous perennial plants with milky sap. Stem prostrate, rooting at the nodes. Leaves mostly floating, broadly ovate, cordate at the base, on a long petiole, glabrous above, sparsely hairy beneath. Flowers bisexual, with a double perianth, about 5 cm in diameter. Petals yellow; there are three petals and three green sepals. Stamens violet or purple. Pistils usually 6. Fruit - many-parted (multi-segmented) fruit. Seeds with a horseshoe-shaped embryo. Introduced into cultivation before 1850.