Wikipedia

Hygrophila (plant)

For freshwater snails in the clade Hygrophila, see Hygrophila (gastropod).

Hygrophila, commonly known as swampweeds,[2][3] is a genus of flowering plants in the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. There are about 80[4] to 100[5][6] species, of which many are aquatic plants. The genus is distributed across the tropical and subtropical world.[4][5] It is one of only two genera in its family that contains aquatic plants, the other being Justicia. The genus is treated in the tribe Hygrophileae, which is noted as being in need of revision at the genus level, meaning the current taxonomic boundaries of Hygrophila are likely to change in the future.[7]

Hygrophila
Hygrophila polysperma in an aquarium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Ruellieae
Genus: Hygrophila
R.Br. (1810)
Species[1]

77; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Adenosma Nees (1832), nom. illeg.
  • Asteracantha Nees (1832)
  • Cardanthera Buch.-Ham. ex Benth. (1847)
  • Eberlea Riddell ex Nees (1847)
  • Hemiadelphis Nees (1832)
  • Kita A.Chev. (1950)
  • Nomaphila Blume (1826)
  • Oryzetes Salisb. (1818)
  • Physichilus Nees (1837)
  • Plaesianthera Livera (1924)
  • Polyechma Hochst. (1841)
  • Santapaua N.P.Balakr. & Subr. (1964)
  • Synnema Benth. (1846)
  • Tenoria Dehnh. & Giord. (1832), nom. illeg.

Description

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The leaves are either homomorphic, all with one form, or heteromorphic, with different forms on one plant. Homomorphic leaves are always simple and entire. Plants with heteromorphic leaves generally have pinnately divided basal leaves with either filiform (feather-like) or linear segments, and undivided leaves higher on the stem.[7]

The flowers have white to purple corollas with either 5 equal lobes or 2 lips. A lipped corolla has an erect, concave upper lip with two lobes, and a lower lip with 3 lobes. The flower has four stamens. Two may be staminodal, lacking pollen. The individual filaments of the stamens are united into pairs by a membrane. There is an inconspicuous nectar disc. Each flower yields at least 6 seeds.[7]

Ecology and uses

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A number of Hygrophila species and cultivars are popular within the aquascaping and aquarium hobbies, including H. angustifolia, H. corymbosa, H. lancea 'Araguaia',[8] H. pinnatifida, H. difformis 'Water Wisteria', H. odora, H. polysperma 'Indian swampweed' and H. siamensis. Additionally, there are some striking newer forms on the market, such as the vivid hybrids of Hygrophila polysperma, 'Sunset'[9] and 'Rosanervig'.[10]

Many members of the genus are troublesome weeds if they become established within irrigation systems, drains or drainage ditches, as well as in rice fields. Several have become established outside of their native ranges, either due to accidentally-discarded cuttings or deliberate release, such as H. polysperma in the southern United States.[7]

Species

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77 species are accepted:[1]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Hygrophila R.Br. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ Hygrophila. USDA PLANTS.
  3. ^ Hygrophila. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
  4. ^ a b Hygrophila. Flora of Pakistan.
  5. ^ a b Hygrophila. Flora of China.
  6. ^ Hài, Đ. V. and D. Đ. Huyến. (2012). New record of species Hygrophila episcopalis R. Ben. (R. Ben.) (Acanthaceae) for the flora of Vietnam. Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Biology 34(2), 187-89.
  7. ^ a b c d Cook, C. D. K. (1996), Aquatic Plant Book (2 ed.), Amsterdam: SPB Academic Publishing, ISBN 90-5103-132-7
  8. ^ "Hygrophila Lancea 'Araguaia'". BucePlant.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Hygrophila polysperma 'Sunset'". Dennerle Plants. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Hygrophila polysperma Rosanervig". aquasabi. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
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