Althenia patentifolia

(E.L.Robertson) T.D.Macfarl. & D.D.Sokoloff Spreading Water-mat

Phytotaxa 317: 58 (2017)

Taxonomic status Accepted

Occurrence status Present

Establishment means Native

Degree of establishment Native

Threat status

FFG: Endangered (EN)

Plant dioecious. Leaves not tapering distally; auricles 1.5–1.8 mm long; leaf margin entire; apex subtruncate with small central mucro. Female flowers with pedicel c. 5 mm long; stigmas narrow, obliquely funnel-shaped, 0.2–0.3 mm wide, margin slightly irregular. Male flowers with scales 3-lobed to fused and cup-shaped; anther mass 6-locular; pedicel up to c. 2.5 mm long at anthesis. Fruit c. 2 mm long (excluding style); fruiting pedicel 1.5–2.5 mm long, so fruit extended beyond the leaf-sheath. Flowers Nov.–Jan.

Wim, VVP, DunT. Also SA, Tas. Collected from near Streatham and Dundonnell. Occurs in brackish water of lakes.

The leaves of this species are held more or less at right angles to the stem.

Source:

Conn, B.J. (1994). Zannichelliaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., ‍Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons‍, pp. 156–160. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Updated by: Neville Walsh, 1 Mar. 2018