Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center

Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains

30. Lythraceae, the Loosestrife Family

1. Ammannia L. -- Toothcup

1. Ammannia auriculata Willd.


Slender annual 0.5-5(8) dm tall, simple or branched above the base, the branches ascending. Leaves linear-lanceolate to linear-oblong, 1-4(6.5) cm long, 1.5-6(10) mm wide, auriculate-clasping at the base. Inflorescences of simple to compound, rather open cymes, peduncled from the axils, with (1)3-12(15) flowers per axil, most with at least 7 flowers; peduncles filiform, 3-9 mm long; pedicels 1-3(6) mm long. Calyx tube 1-3 mm long in flower, the lobes alternating with short appendages or the appendages absent; petals 4, deep rose-purple, ca. 1.5 mm long; stamens 4(-8), anthers deep yellow when fresh; styles 1-3 mm long in fruit. Capsules 1.5-3 mm in diameter, equaling or exceeding the calyx. Jul--Oct. Muddy shores, flats and low spots in fields where water stands temporarily; uncommon, ec SD and s NE; (IN to SD, s to TX and into Mex., C. and S.Amer.; Old World tropics).
GIF- Distribution Map

Map key


Return to Family -- Lythraceae - The Loosestrife Family
Next Species -- Ammannia coccinea Rottb.
NPWRC Home | Site Map | About Us | Staff | Search | Contact | Web Help | Copyright

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America home page. FirstGov button U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/vascplnt/species/aaur.htm
Page Contact Information: npwrc@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: August 3, 2006