Bergia

Linnaeus

Mant. Pl. 2: 152, 241. 1771.

Common names: Water-fire
Etymology: For Peter J. Bergius, 1730–1790, Swedish botanist and physician, student of Linnaeus
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 349. Mentioned on page 348.

Herbs [subshrubs], terrestrial [aquatic], glandular-pubescent. Stems ascending to prostrate, solid or pithy, not rooting at nodes [rooting at proximal nodes]. Leaves: stipules nearly membranous; petiole present; blade margins serrulate. Inflorescences usually cymes, rarely flowers solitary. Pedicels present. Flowers: sepals 5, distinct, equal, carinate, apex acuminate or acute; petals 5, apex acute; stamens (5 or 7–)10; pistil 5-carpellate; ovary 5-locular, apex ± acute; styles 5; stigmas 5. Capsules cartilaginous. Seeds 3–6[–10] per locule, brown, slightly curved, surface obscurely reticulate with rectangular pits. x = 6.

Distribution

w, c United States, n Mexico, Asia, Africa, Australia, introduced in South America, warm-temperate and tropical regions.

Discussion

Species ca. 25 (1 in the flora).

Bergia has its greatest diversity in Africa and Australia.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

... more about "Bergia"
Gordon C. Tucker +
Linnaeus +
Water-fire +
w +, c United States +, n Mexico +, Asia +, Africa +, Australia +, introduced in South America +  and warm-temperate and tropical regions. +
For Peter J. Bergius, 1730–1790, Swedish botanist and physician, student of Linnaeus +
Elatinaceae +