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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Spiny Water-starwort
Callitriche verna L.

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Water-starwort (Callitrichaceae)
Flowering: May-August
Field Marks: This aquatic water-starwort differs from others in the genus by having linear lanceolate submersed leaves and obovate to spatulate floating leaves, with the opposite leaves attached to each other at the base. In addition, the fruits
Habitat: In streams, roadside ditches, and edges of ponds and lakes, usually in shallow water.
Habit: Perennial aquatic herb with slender rhizomes.
Stems: Slender, sometimes mat-forming, up to 12 inches long, rooting at the nodes, smooth.
Leaves: Opposite, simple, smooth, without teeth, united at the base, the submersed leaves linear to linear-lanceolate, up to 1/2 inch long, up to 1/3 inch wide, with 1 vein, the floating leaves obovate to spatulate, up to 1/2 inch long, up to 1/
Flowers: 1-3 in the axils of the leaves, the male and female flowers borne separately but on the same plant.
Sepals: 0.
Petals: 0.
Stamens: 1.
Pistils: Ovary superior; styles 2.
Fruits: Ovoid, 4-lobed, winged, notched at the tip, up to 1/16 inch long, a little longer than wide, smooth, with a recurved persistent style.
Notes: This species may provide cover for fish.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:27:01 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]