Triglochin scilloides
(Poir.) Mering & KadereitAnnual, emergent aquatic herb. Leaves basal, basally terete, grading to plano-convex, then flattened and linear distally, up to 30(–60) cm long, 3–8 mm wide basally; apex of basal sheath with a short ligule (to c. 2 mm long). Inflorescence made up of 2 solitary female flowers and one spike of bisexual flowers developing from the axil of each basal leaf-sheath. Female flowers with the sessile carpel terminating in a long thread-like style; style up to 38 cm long, arising laterally and at right angles to the distal surface of the ovary; stigma slightly expanded. Spike of bisexual flowers terminal, 6–20 mm long; scape usually longer than leaf-sheath but shorter than leaf. Bisexual flowers with a 2-locular, sessile anther; each anther with a translucent, white, bract-like appendage (1.2–1.5 mm long) arising from the anther connective; ovary and style short and thick; stigma papillate. Fruit dry and indehiscent; fruit of female flower 6–8 mm long, ridged, usually with horns or hooks distally; fruit of bisexual flower 4–8 mm long, ridged, with undulate wings laterally. Seed solitary. Flowers and fruits Aug.–Apr.
Wim, GleP, VVP, MuF, GipP, OtP, CVU, GGr, HSF. Also naturalised NSW. Occurs in freshwater of swamps, lakes and creeks, up to a depth of about 0.3 m. Smaller plants occur on damp mud.
This species has a distinct floral morphology unlike any other species of Triglochin. The unusual floral morphology has made classification of this species challenging, with it previously being included in its own genus Lilaea Humb. & Bonpl., and even its own family, Lilaeaceae. However, recent molecular studies have shown this species to be nested in Triglochin, and hence, Triglochin is paraphyletic without its inclusion.
Conn, B.J.; Aston, H.I. (1994). Juncaginaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 137–146. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
