| Althenia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Althenia filiformis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Potamogetonaceae |
| Genus: | Althenia Petit |
| Species | |
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
LepilaenaJ.Drumm. exW.H.Harvey[1] | |
Althenia is agenus ofaquatic plants of the familyPotamogetonaceae.[2] This has long been a group of two species in the Mediterranean Europe and South Africa, but in 2016 was revised to include an Australasian relative,Lepilaena.[3] The genus is named after the agronomistJean Althen.[4]
This genus is made up of aquatic herbs. The bristle-like leaves are clustered at the nodes. The wider bases produce broad ligules.[5]
The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers have a perianth made of three minute scales and have a single stamen.[5]
The female flowers have a perianth made of one to three segments. The gynoecium has three carpels with a single pendulous ovule in each ovary. The filiform styles gradually pass into the carpels and the stigmas are large and oblique. The mature carpels are oblique and compressed with a winged or thickened margin. The seeds are pendulous, oblong and compressed. The embryo is straight.[5]
Lepilaena was a genus ofaquatic andmarineflowering plant comprising 6 or more speciesendemic[8][9] to coastal andbrackish or alkaline inland waters of temperateAustralia,Tasmania, andNew Zealand.[7][8]
The species are appended with common names that derive from their description as water-mats; for example,L. australis is referred to as Austral water-mat andL. marina as Sea water-mat.
Interpretation of molecular evidence for this poorly studied genus suggests a close affinity withZannichellia, another genus of aquatic plants.[7] Two species are noted for their occurrence in marine environs,L. cylindrocarpa andL. marina, in estuaries and tidal flats.[7]L. cylindrocarpa is also found in a variety of brackish inland waters of mainland Australia.[6] Other species may be found in habitats of fresh to brackish, still or slowly moving, coastal or inland waters.
Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, all the species have been transferred to the genusAlthenia in 2016.[10]
