Class
Family
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Lagarosiphon Harv., J. Bot. (Hooker) 4: 230–231 (1841)
Description
Vigorous, submersed, aquatic perennials of fresh water; dioecious. Stems ± branched, leafy throughout. Leaves numerous, sessile, minutely toothed, alternate, subopposite or whorled. Spathes solitary, axillary; in male plant enclosing many pedicellate flowers; in female plant enclosing 1–(2–3) sessile flowers; male flowers usually breaking off and floating within a bell formed by recurved perianth-segments; female flowers long-exserted on pedicel-like extension of perianth-tube and reaching surface of water. Perianth of 6 segments. Male flowers; stamens 3, staminodia 3, > stamens, coloured at top and joined forming a sail. Female flowers: staminodia 3, small, stigmas 3, bifid, often brightly coloured. Fruit a beaked capsule, becoming mucilaginous and bursting irregularly. Seeds many.
[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]
Biostatus
Exotic
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Exotic: Fully Naturalised | 1 |
| Total | 1 |
Bibliography
Harvey, W.H. 1841 ("1842"): Account of a new genus of the natural order of Hydrocharideae, from southern Africa. Journal of Botany 4: 230–231.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
