Elatine californica

A. Gray

Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 13: 361, 364. 1878.

Common names: California waterwort
Synonyms: Elatine californica var. williamsii (Rydberg) Fassett E. williamsii Rydberg
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 350. Mentioned on page 349, 351.

Herbs, submersed or growing on exposed but wet substrates, 1–5 cm. Stems decumbent to erect, branched. Leaves light green to green, sometimes becoming reddish in terrestrial plants; stipules lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 mm, margins dentate, apex acute; petiole 1–4 mm; blade obovate to oblanceolate, 4–12(–15) × 1.2–3 mm, base narrowly cuneate, apex acute to obtuse. Pedicels 1.5–2.5(–3.5) mm, recurved in fruit. Flowers: sepals 4, usually equal, sometimes 1 reduced, oblong-ovate or widely lanceolate, 0.5–0.6 × 0.3–0.4 mm; petals 4, greenish white, slightly reddish, or pink, elliptic or ovate, 1–1.5 × 0.5–0.6 mm; stamens 8; styles 4. Capsules depressed-ovoid, 4-locular, 1.3–2.5 mm diam. Seeds 2–5 per locule, oblong to ellipsoid, curved 90–180°, 0.6–1 × 0.2 mm; pits elliptic, length 1–3 times width, in 6–10 rows, (16–)20–29 per row.


Phenology: Flowering summer.
Habitat: Pools, pond shores, rice fields, stream banks.
Elevation: 0–1900(–2600) m.

Distribution

V12 499-distribution-map.jpg

Ariz., Calif., Idaho, Mont., Nev., N.Mex., Oreg., Utah, Wash., Mexico (Baja California).

Discussion

Elatine californica is distinguished from other species of the genus by having long pedicels that are recurved in fruit and strongly curved seeds that can be nearly circular.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Elatine californica"
Hamid Razifard +, Gordon C. Tucker +  and Donald H. Les +
A. Gray +
California waterwort +
Ariz. +, Calif. +, Idaho +, Mont. +, Nev. +, N.Mex. +, Oreg. +, Utah +, Wash. +  and Mexico (Baja California). +
0–1900(–2600) m. +
Pools, pond shores, rice fields, stream banks. +
Flowering summer. +
Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts +
Elatine californica var. williamsii +  and E. williamsii +
Elatine californica +
species +