Aponogetonaceae

J. Agardh
Common names: Aponogeton or Cape-pondweed Family
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22. Treatment on page 39.

Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, caulescent; turions absent. Leaves alternate, floating [submersed], petiolate [sessile]; sheath not persisting longer than blade, not leaving circular scar when shed, not ligulate, not auriculate; blade ovate to narrowly lanceolate [linear]; intravaginal squamules (i.e., minute appressed, planate trichomes attached at basal edge) scales, more than 2. Inflorescences terminal, spikes, subtended by spathe, pedunculate; peduncle following fertilization not elongating, not spiraling. Flowers bisexual [unisexual]; subtending bracts absent; perianth present [absent]; tepals 1[–6]; stamens 6–18[–50] in 2–3[–4] series, not epitepalous; anthers distinct, dehiscing longitudinally; pollen ellipsoid; pistils 2–6[–9], distinct, not stipitate; ovules basal-marginal, anatropous. Fruits follicles. Seeds 4; embryo straight.

Distribution

North America, s Africa, and tropical regions of Eastern Hemisphere.

Discussion

Genus 1, species 52 (1 species in the flora).

Lower Taxa