Scientific Family
Alismataceae
Synonyms
Alisma brevipes, Alisma plantago-auatica ssp. brevipes, Alisma plantago-aquatica var. americanum
Other common names
mud-plantain
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 feet
Riparian
Yes
An aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herb.
Perennial that grows in shallow water; leaves on long leaf stalks that rise above or float on water, leaves ovate to broadly elliptic. Flower head pyramidal, floral bracts hold papery greenish-white flowers, 6 stamens in one whorl.
Habitat
Aquatic or semi-aquatic herb. Grows in water, in swamps, on muddy banks, or occasionally in wet sand.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
4000
High elevation
8000
Flower Characteristics
3 rounded, notched petals; 3 green sepals showing between petals; 6 green-tipped stamens; flower to 3/8 inch wide. Flower stems are many branched. Branches and branchlets arranged in whorls around stem.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
August
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves are all basal. Leathery, broadly elliptical, to 4 inches wide and to 9 inches long with stem.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit lateral walls thick, opaque, fruiting heads 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter, achenes 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit color
Brown
Each flower is replaced by a flat whorl of seeds (technically, they are achenes). Each flat-sided seed is longer than broad, with a tiny beak at the top.