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Menyanthaceae are a family of aquatic and wetland plants in the Order Asterales. There are approximately 70 species in five genera distributed worldwide. Characters that define the family include a sympetalous corolla, storage of carbohydrate as inulin, and the production of seco-loganin. Morphological and molecular data strongly indicate the Menyanthaceae are in a clade with Goodeniaceae, Calyceraceae and Asteraceae (APG II). Leaves are generally basal and arise alternately from a creeping rhizome. In the submersed aquatic genus Nymphoides, leaves are floating and subtended by an umbellate inflorescence or lax raceme. The genera Menyanthes and Nephrophyllidium are characterized by an erect raceme, and Villarsia possesses a branched panicle. In Liparophyllum the inflorescence consists of a single terminal flower. Flowers are five-parted and either yellow or white. The petals are ciliate or adorned with lateral wings. Fruit type is a capsule.
