Aponogetonaceae |
| 1 genus. Stems tuberous or rhizomatous. Leaves in
rosettes, linear or petiolate; blades linear to
oblong-elliptic; margins entire, sometimes crisped,
bullate or fenestrate. Flowers unisexual or bisexual,
borne in spikes; spikes stalked, solitary (contracted or
elongate) or up to 15, emerging above the water surface,
when immature enveloped by a caducous or persistent
spathe. Perianth segments (0-) 2 (6-), petal-like or
bract-like, mostly persistent. Stamens 6 or more. Ovary
superior; carpels (2-) 3 (5-), free, mostly sessile; each
ovary narrowed into a style with an adaxial stigmatic
ridge; ovules 1-12 in each carpel; fruits follicles. Juveniles
submerged, adults submerged, floating or sometime
temporally terrestrial, sometimes in brackish water:
entomophilous or perhaps some agamospermous, some
dioecious: diaspores seeds, dispersed in water:
frequently cultivated for decorativ purposes, the tubers
of some species eaten by humans and their livestock. |
