| TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) |
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Jepson Interchange (more information) |
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora. |
AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY |
Perennial from corm or short, thick rhizome, aquatic, glabrous
Leaves simple, basal, generally submersed, petioled; blade expanded or not (if floating, blade elliptic to lanceolate)
Inflorescence: generally spike, terminal; branches 2–3(10), scapose above water, subtended by conspicuous, deciduous bract
Flower generally bisexual; perianth parts 0–6, generally petal-like; stamens 6 in 2 whorls or many; pistils generally 3–6, fused ± 1/2–2/3 length, simple above, separating in fruit, ovary superior, chamber 1, ovules 1–8, style short, stigmatic surface grooved
Fruit: follicles, leathery
Seeds several; embryo straight
Genera in family: 1 genus, ± 40 species: tropical Asia to Australia, s Africa.
1 genus,
Species in genus: ± 40 species: old world tropical (Asia, Australia), s Africa
Etymology: (Greek: from aquatic habitat)
| Introduced |
Leaf: petiole long; blade elliptic, floating
Flower: perianth segment 1, base wide, white; stamens many
Ecology: Ponds
Elevation: < 150 m.
Bioregional distribution: c-w San Francisco Bay Area, s South Coast, expected elsewhere
Distribution outside California: native to s Africa
Widely cultivated for aquaria, often escaping but generally a waif.