Home | > | List of families | > | Alismataceae | > | Limnophyton | > | obtusifolium |
Synonyms: |
Sagittaria obtusifolia L. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Annual or perennial (semi-)aquatic herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rhizome small; roots fibrous and spongy. Leaves emergent, erect; petiole up to 50 cm long, 3-angular in cross-section. Lamina sagittate, mostly hairless, with scattered pellucid dots, wider than the length or the midrib and basal lobes as long or longer than the mid rib; veins 13-17, 3-4 pairs arising from the base, arching to the leaf apex, the others curving down towards the tips of the lobes. Inflorescence on a stout peduncle 0.3-1 m long, branched with 4-7 whorls of flowers. Flowers bisexual or some male in the basal whorls, with greenish sepals and white petals. Fruit with up to 30 carpels, forming a globose head, 10-12 mm in diameter. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | obtusifolium: leaves with a blunt tip (obtuse). |
Habitat: | Swamps, pools, seasonal pans and waterholes. |
Altitude range: | Up to 1000 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical and subtropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and Malaysia |
Malawi distribution: | S |
Growth form(s): | Aquatic, annual, perennial. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Carter, S. (1960). Alismataceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 9 - 11. (Includes a picture). Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 119. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 84. Martins, E.S. & Catarino, L. (2009). Alismataceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Pages 8 - 10. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 112. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 180. |
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