Alisma lanceolatum is a species of aquatic plant in the water plantain family known by the common names lanceleaf water plantain and narrow-leaved water plantain.[3] It is widespread across Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia.[4] It is naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, California and British Columbia. It is considered a noxious weed in some places.[5][6][7][8]

Alisma lanceolatum

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Alisma
Species:
A. lanceolatum
Binomial name
Alisma lanceolatum

This species is a weed of rice fields in many areas, including New South Wales and California.

In England and Wales it is occasionally locally found, in Ireland it is rare, and Scotland it is very rare.

It is found in mud and in fresh waters.

Description

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Part of an inflorescence and single blossom

This is a perennial herb growing from a caudex in the water or mud that typically reaches a height of about 0.7 meters and a spread of 0.25 meters.[9] It produces lance-shaped leaves 12 to 20 centimeters long and 4 wide on long petioles; leaves which remain submerged in water are smaller and less prominently veined. The inflorescence is mostly erect and up to half a meter tall.

It produces a wide array of small pinkish-purple three-petalled flowers that open in the morning, from June until August.[10] The fruit is a tiny achene up to 2 or 3 millimeters long clustered into an aggregate fruit of about 20 units. The seeds are reddish-brown and about 1.5 millimeters long.[4]

Cultivation

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Grows best in water 15-30 centimeters deep in full sun. Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5–8.[9]

Similar Species

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The water plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica has acute leaf tips not tapering to a stalk.[11] The flowers of A. plantago-aquatica also typically open in the afternoon, and the leaves are wider.[10]

References

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  1. ^ Akhani, H.; Zehzad, B. (2014). "Alisma lanceolatum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T163974A42307131. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T163974A42307131.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "NatureServe Explorer". Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  3. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  4. ^ a b "Alisma lanceolatum : Narrow-leaved Water-plantain | NBN Atlas". species.nbnatlas.org. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  5. ^ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  6. ^ Biota of North America Program
  7. ^ "Alisma lanceolatum in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  8. ^ "Alisma lanceolatum in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  9. ^ a b Shoot. "Alisma lanceolatum Narrow-leaved water plantain Care Plant Varieties & Pruning Advice". www.shootgardening.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  10. ^ a b "Irish Wildflowers - Narrow-leaved Water-plantain, Alisma lanceolatum". www.irishwildflowers.ie. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  11. ^ Rose, Francis (2006). The Wild Flower Key. Frederick Warne & Co. pp. 483–484. ISBN 978-0-7232-5175-0.
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