Citation: Pers., Syn. Pl. 1:400 (1805).

Derivation: From ottel-ambel, the native name of an Indian species.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Fresh water, rooted perennials; leaves all basal, emergent or floating, sessile or petiolate, glabrous.

Flowers monoecious, dioecious or bisexual, enclosed within spathes at the ends of peduncles; sepals 3; petals 3, larger, white or yellow, sometimes with a reddish base; stamens 6-15; ovary with 3-9 placentas, styles 3-15, each with a 2-branched stigma.

Fruit flask-shaped or ellipsoid, with a beak formed by the lower part of the perianth, the wall disintegrating; seeds numerous.

Distribution:  About 40 species in the tropics and subtropics; 2 in Australia.

Biology: No text

Author: Prepared by J.P. Jessop