Herb, up to 100(–130) cm high; rhizomes creeping, roots fibrous. Basal leaf with petiole 40–60 cm long; lamina ovate to broadly ovate, 8–22 cm long, 5–12 cm wide; apex obtuse; base cordate. Inflorescence 15–35 cm long (including non-flowering part), more than 50-flowered. Flowers showy, 1.4–1.7 cm long, open flower c. 1 cm across; tube 0.5–1 cm long, mauve; lobes mauve with a yellow blotch on the basal half of the adaxial lobe. Stamens inserted in perianth tube, 3 greatly exserted, 3 shorter and just ± exserted. Seeds not seen in Australia. Flowers Nov.–Apr.
GipP, GGr. Also naturalised in WA, Qld, NSW. In slow-flowing or stagnant fresh water. Twice collected, once from Koo-wee-rup and once from Wartook Reservoir where it appears to be naturalised.
Source:
Conn, B.J. (1994). Pontederiaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 634–637. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
