| Alismataceae | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Sagittaria latifolia | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Alismataceae Vent.[2] |
| Type genus | |
| Alisma | |
| Genera | |
See text | |
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| Alismataceae distribution map | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
Thewater-plantains (Alismataceae) are a family offlowering plants, comprising 20 genera (17 extant and 3 fossil) and 119 species. The family has acosmopolitan distribution, with the greatest number of species intemperate regions of theNorthern Hemisphere. Most of the species areherbaceousaquatic plants growing inmarshes andponds.
Most Alismataceae are robustperennials, but some may beannual or perennial, depending on water conditions — they are normally perennial in permanent waters, annual in more seasonal conditions but there are exceptions. Thestems arecorm-like orstoloniferous. Juvenile and submerseleaves are oftenlinear, whilst more mature and emerse leaves can be linear toovate or evensagittate. Most have a distinctpetiole, with a sheathed base.
Theinflorescence is usually compound with whorls of branches, though some areumbel-like, and others have solitaryflowers. The flowers are regular, bisexual or unisexual. There are threesepals which usually persist in thefruit. Three petals, usually conspicuous, white, pink, purple, occasionally with yellow or purple spots. Thepetals rarely last more than one day. InBurnatia andWiesneria the petals are minute and even occasionally absent in female flowers.Stamens are 3, 6, 9 or numerous. Theovary is superior, comprising 3 - numerous freecarpels in one whorl or in a clustered head. Each carpel contains 1 (-2) anatropousovules.[clarification needed]
Fruit is a head ofnutlets (except inDamasonium). Theseeds have noendosperm and a curved or foldedembryo.
Under theAPG III system, the Alismataceae includes three genera formerly members of theLimnocharitaceae. Altogether, there are 18 extant genera[3] and two fossil genera assigned to the Alismataceae:[4][5][6]
| Alismataceae | |
Several species, notably in the genusSagittaria, have ediblerhizomes, grown for both human food and animalfodder insouthern andeastern Asia. They were eaten as food by theindigenous peoples of North America. Most have value as food for wildlife. Some are grown asornamental plants inbog gardens,ponds andaquariums. The leaves and flower buds ofLimnocharis flava are eaten in Southeast Asia as "poor people's vegetable".[8]
Media related toAlismataceae at Wikimedia Commons
Data related toAlismataceae at Wikispecies
