Leaves round to elliptic, up to 35(–45) x 30(–40) cm, often slightly peltate, green above, often ± reddish or purplish beneath, basal lobes diverging, nearly closed or overlapping, entire or dentate to lobulate at the margin, glabrous. Flowers 6–20(–30) cm wide, held above the water. Sepals green, 3–8(–13) x 1–2.5(–3) cm. Petals 12–27, blue or sometimes pink, mauve or white, mostly about as long as the sepals. Stamens 30–250; anthers with narrow usually 5–8(–15) mm long connective-appendage. Carpels 14–47. Fruit depressed-globose, 2–4 cm in diam.
