ALISMATACEAE [Draft]

泽泻科  ze xie ke

Wang Qingfeng (王青锋)1; Robert R. Haynes[1]; C. Barre Hellquist[2] 

Herbs, perennial or rarely annual, aquatic or of marshes, sometimes rhizomatous. Leaves basal, linear, lanceolate, elliptic to ovate or sagittate, with elongated sheathing petioles; principal veins parallel with margins and converging toward apex and connected by transverse veins. Flowers often whorled at nodes of scape forming racemes, panicles, or umbels, pedicellate, actinomorphic, bisexual, unisexual, or polygamous, usually bracteate. Sepals 3, persistent, green. Petals 3, deciduous, usually white. Stamens 3 to numerous, whorled, with elongated filaments; anthers 2-celled, extrorse, opening by longitudinal slits. Carpels 3 to numerous, whorled or spirally arranged, free; ovules 1 to several; style persistent. Fruit a cluster or whorl of laterally compressed achenes, drupelets, or occasionally follicles. Seeds curved, with a horseshoe-shaped embryo; endosperm absent.

About 11 genera with nearly 100 species: cosmopolitan, especially abundant in temperate and tropical regions of the northern hemisphere; four genera and about 20 species in China.

1a.     Flowers unisexual or polygamous .......................................................................  1. Sagittaria

1b.     Flowers bisexual.

2a.    Stamens 6; carpels arranged in a single whorl ......................................................  4. Alisma

2b.    Stamens (6–)9 to numerous; carpels spirally arranged.

3a.     Inflorescences much branched, paniculate; fruitlets drupaceous, swollen, with woody endocarp and spongy exocarp .........................................................................................  3. Caldesia

3b.     Inflorescences unbranched, flowers usually solitary or with up to 3 in inflorescence; fruitlets achene-like, laterally compressed ................................................................................  2. Ranalisma

1. SAGITTARIA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 993. 1753.

慈姑属  ci gu shu

Lophotocarpus (Kunth) Miquel: Lophotocarpus T. Durand.

Herbs, aquatic, often stoloniferous and tuberiferous. Leaves aerial, floating, or submerged, linear, lanceolate, deeply cordate, or sagittate. Inflorescences usually of 3-flowered whorls each with 3 bracts. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, upper ones male, with longer and slender pedicels, lower ones female or bisexual, with shorter and thickened pedicel. Stamens (6–)9 to numerous. Carpels numerous, spirally arranged, each with 1 ovule; styles apical or subadaxial. Achenes laterally compressed, margins usually winged, with an apical or lateral stylar beak.

About 30 species: tropical and temperate regions; seven species in China.

1a.     Persistent sepals not reflexed after anthesis.

2a.    Leaves floating or submerged, floating leaves broadly ovate to cordate-ovate; flowers polygamous; achenes with cristate wing .................................................................................  1. S. guayanensis

2b.    Leaves aerial or submerged, sagittate or lanceolate; flowers unisexual; achenes without cristate wing.

3a.     Aerial leaves linear-lanceolate; female flowers without or only with very short pedicel  7. S. tengtsungensis

3b.     Aerial leaves sagittate; female flowers pedicellate .............................  5. S. lichuanensis

1b.     Persistent sepals reflexed after anthesis.

4a.    Leaves sessile or only with very short petiole, linear or subspatulate; achenes cristate on back       8. S. pygmaea

4b.    Leaves petiolate; achenes not cristate on back.

5a.     Leaves floating or submerged ....................................................................  2. S. natans

5b.     Leaves aerial or submerged.

6a.     Achenes with an adaxial beak; aerial leaves elliptic to ovate or sagittate, submerged leaves lanceolate; stolons usually lacking .............................................................  6. S. potamogetifolia

6b.     Achenes with an apical beak; leaves sagittate ........................................  4. S. trifolia

1. Sagittaria guayanensis Kunth subsp. lappula (D. Don) Bogin, Mem. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 9: 192. 1955.

冠果草  guan guo cao

Sagittaria lappula D. Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 22. 1825; Lophotocarpus formosanus Hayata; L. guayanensis (Kunth) J. G. Smith; L. guayanensis var. lappula (D. Don) Buchen.

Stolons usually lacking. Floating leaves broadly ovate to cordate-ovate, 1.2–9 Χ 1–10 cm,  base deeply cordate, apex obtuse; submerged leaves linear or lanceolate, 3–11 cm Χ 5–10 mm. Inflorescences racemose, 8–40 cm, in 2–6 whorls of 3 flowers; bracts connate toward base. Bisexual flowers usually on lower 1–4 whorls; pedicels 1–1.5 cm, thickened. Male flowers with pedicel 2–5 cm. Sepals not reflexed after anthesis, ovate, 0.5–1.5 cm Χ 3–15 mm. Petals fugacious, obovate, nearly same size as sepals. Stamens 6 to numerous; anthers yellow. Achenes obovoid or elliptical, 2–4 Χ 1.5–3 mm, with cristate wing and oblique adaxial beak. Fl. May–Sep, fr. Jun–Nov. 2n = 22*.

Ponds, lakes, marshes, paddy fields and channels. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam; Africa].

2. Sagittaria natans Pallas, Reise Russ. Reich. 3: 757. 1776.

浮叶慈姑  fu ye ci gu

Plants stoloniferous. Floating leaves linear, lanceolate, elliptic, or sagittate, 5–17 cm, base cuneate to rounded or cordate with 2 short lobes, lateral lobes shorter than middle lobe; submerged leaves lanceolate or reduced to phyllodes. Inflorescences racemose, 5–25 cm, in 2–6 whorls of 3 flowers, at least lower bracts free. Flowers unisexual; female flowers on lower 1 or 2 whorls, pedicels 5–12 mm; male flowers with pedicels 1–2 cm. Sepals usually not reflexed broadly ovate, 3–4 Χ ca. 3 mm. Petals obovate, 8–10 Χ ca. 5.5 mm; stamens numerous; anthers yellow. Achenes obliquely obovoid, 2–3 Χ 1–2.5 mm, with a short, subadaxial beak. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 22*.

Ponds and channels. Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Xinjiang [Mongolia, Russia; Europe].

3. Sagittaria trifolia Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 993. 1753.

野慈姑  ye ci gu

Plants stoloniferous, stolons often ending in a tuber. Leaves aerial at least when mature, sagittate, sheathing, apex acuminate to rounded, lateral lobes longer than middle lobe. Inflorescences racemose, in 3 to many whorls of 3 flowers, lower 1–3 whorls usually branched; bracts free or connate toward base. Flowers unisexual. Female flowers on lower 1–8 whorls, with short pedicels; male flowers with pedicels 0.5–1.5 cm; sepals reflexed, ovate, 3–5 Χ 2.5–3.5 mm. Petals obovate, ca. 2 Χ as large as sepals. Stamens numerous; anthers yellow. Achenes obliquely obovoid, 4.5–5.5 Χ 4–5 mm, winged, with an erect, apical beak. Fl. and fr. May–Nov. 2n = 22*.

Ponds, lakes, marshes, paddy fields and channels. Most of China: Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Most of Asia, Indonesia (Borneo, Java), Japan including Ryukyus, Korea, Philippines, Russia; Europe].

1a.. Inflorescences with only 1–3 branches at lowest whorls; tubers 2–3 cm; wild ...  3a. subsp. trifolia

1b.. Inflorescences with more than 3 branches; tubers 5–10 cm; cultivated ...........  3b. subsp. sinensis

 

3a. Sagittaria trifolia subsp. trifolia

野慈姑()  ye ci gu (yuan ya zhong)

Sagittaria sagittifolia Linnaeus var. angustifolia Siebold; S. sagittifolia var. edulis Siebold ex Miquel; S. sagittifolia var. longiloba Turczaninow; S. trifolia var. angustifolia (Siebold) Kitagama; S. trifolia f. longiloba (Turczaninow) Makino; S. trifolia var. longiloba (Turczaninow) M. Kitagawa; S. trifolia var. retusa J. K. Chen, S. C. Sun & H. Q. Wang.

Tubers usually 2–3 cm. Leaves larger, middle lobe not linear, more than 1.5 cm wide, apex acuminate, lateral lobes 1–1.4 Χ as large as middle lobe. Inflorescences with only 1 or 2(or 3) whorls of branches at base.

Ponds, lakes, marshes, paddy fields and channels. Most of China: Anhui, Beijing, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Most of Asia, Indonesia (Borneo, Java), Japan including Ryukyus, Korea, Philippines, Russia; Europe].

Most specimens determined as Sagittaria sagittifolia are in fact this taxon.

3b. Sagittaria trifolia subsp. sinensis (Sims) ??Q. F. Wang, comb. nov.??.

华夏慈姑  hua xia ci gu

Sagittaria sinensis Sims, Bot. Mag. (Curtis) 39: t. 1631. 1814; S. edulis Siebold ex Schlechtendal; S. sagittifolia var. leucopetala Miquel; S. sagittifolia Linnaeus f. sinensis (Sims) Makino; S. trifolia var. edulis (Siebold ex Miq.) Ohwi, nom. inval.; S. trifolia var. sinensis (Sims) Makino.

Tubers 5–10 Χ 4–6 cm. Leaves large, middle lobe broadly ovate, apex obtuse. Inflorescences with 3 whorls of branches at base, each whorl 3- or more branched.

Cultivated south of the Yangtze River: Anhui, Fujian Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Also cultivated in Japan and Korea].

4. Sagittaria lichuanensis J. K. Chen, X. Z. Sun & H. Q. Wang, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 4(2): 129. 1984.

利川慈姑  li chuan ci gu

Sagittaria wuyiensis J. K. Chen.

Stolons usually lacking. Leaves aerial, erect; blades sagittate, apex acuminate, lateral lobes 6–9 cm, middle lobe 4.5–8 Χ 2.5–6 cm, with 3–11 bulbs in each sheath. Inflorescences paniculate, 15–20 cm, in 4 to many whorls of (2 or)3 flowers, lowest whorl usually branched. Flowers unisexual. Female flowers on lowest 1(or 2) whorls; bracts free or connate toward base. Sepals not reflexed; ovate, ca. 7 Χ ca. 4 mm. Petals nearly orbicular, 6–7 Χ ca. 5 mm. Stamens 15–18; anthers yellow. Achenes 0.8–1 Χ 0.4–0.5 mm, narrowly winged, with a short beak. Fl. and fr. Jul–Aug. 2n = 22*.

* Marshes, paddy fields and channels; ca. 1700 m. Fujian, Guangdong, Hubei (Lichuan), Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang.

5. Sagittaria potamogetifolia Merrill, Sunyatsenia 1: 189. 1934.

小慈姑  xiao ci gu

Stolons usually lacking. Aerial leaves elliptic to ovate or sagittate, 3.5–11 cm, apex acuminate, lateral lobes 2–6 cm Χ 1.5–6 mm, middle lobe 1.5–5 Χ 2–10 mm, with 1 or 3 bulbs in each sheath; submerged leaves lanceolate, 2–9 cm Χ 2–4 mm. Inflorescences racemose, in 2 to many whorls of (2 or)3 flowers; bracts free. Flowers unisexual. Female flowers 1 or 2(or 3), on lowest whorl, pedicels 2–7 mm. Male flowers with pedicels 1.2–4 cm; sepals reflexed, ovate, 3–4.5 Χ 2.5–3 mm. Petals broadly obovate, 4–10 Χ 6–6.5 mm. Stamens 9–21; anthers yellow. Achenes obovoid, 5–7 Χ 4.5–6 mm, with an abaxial undulate or smooth wing, and an adaxial beak. Fl. and fr. May–Sep. 2n = 22*.

* Paddy fields, marshes, and channels. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hubei, JiangxiYunnan, Zhejiang.

6. Sagittaria tengtsungensis H. Li, Fl. Yunnan. 4: 767. 1986.

腾冲慈姑  teng chong ci gu

Plants stoloniferous. Aerial leaves linear-lanceolate, 7–10 cm Χ 7–12 mm, base attenuate, apex acuminate; submerged leaves linear or reduced to a phyllode, 4–5 cm Χ 2–4 mm. Inflorescences racemose, 7–12 cm, in 2–4 whorls of (2 or)3 flowers; bracts broadly ovate, usually connate at base. Flowers unisexual. Female flowers not exceeding 2, restricted to lowest whorl, sessile or only with very short pedicel. Male flowers with pedicel 2–3 cm. Sepals not reflexed, elliptic, 5–7.5 Χ 4–5 mm. Petals ca. 1 cm. Stamens numerous; anthers yellow. Achenes obovoid, ca. 2 mm, with smooth, entire wing and an adaxial beak. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 22*

Marshes; 1700–2100 m. Yunnan [Bhutan].

7. Sagittaria pygmaea Miquel, Ann. Mus. Lugduno-Batavi 2: 138. 1865.

矮慈姑  ai ci gu

Sagittaria altigena Handel-Mazzetti ex Samuelsson, S. sagittifolia Linnaeus var. pygmaea (Miquel) Makino.

Plants stoloniferous. Petioles indistinct; leaf blade linear or subspatulate, 2–29 cm Χ 2–11 mm, sheathing basally, apex acuminate or obtuse. Inflorescences racemose, 1–10 cm, in 2 or 3 whorls of 3 flowers; bracts elliptic. Flowers unisexual. Female flowers not exceeding 2, restricted to lowest whorl, sessile or only with very short pedicels. Male flowers with pedicels 0.5–3 cm. Sepals obovate, 5–7 Χ 3–5 mm. Petals orbicular, 1–1.5 Χ 1–1.6 cm. Stamens 6–21; anthers yellow. Achenes broadly obovoid, 3–5 Χ 3–3.5 mm, abaxially cristate, with a broad wing and an adaxial beak. Fl. and fr. May–Nov. 2n = 22*.

Paddy fields, marshes, and channels. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan including Ryukyus, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam].

Specimens with one whorl of staminodes and leaves retuse at apex from Dongchuan, Yunnan, which were described as Sagittaria altigena, appear to be in the range of variety of this species rather than a distinct taxon.

2. RANALISMA Stapf, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 27: t. 2652. 1900.

毛茛泽泻属  mao gen ze xie shu

Herbs, aquatic or of marshes. Leaves aerial, floating, or submerged, all radical erect, long petiolate, ovate to ovate-elliptic. Flowers usually solitary or up to 3 at apex of scape, bisexual, pedicellate. Petals usually larger than or ca. as large as sepals. Stamens 9. Carpels numerous in a subglobose head, free, spirally arranged, each with 1 ovule; style erect. Fruitlets achene-like. Achenes laterally compressed, with a long stylar beak.

About two species: Asia, and tropical and subtropical regions of Africa; one species in China.

1. Ranalisma rostratum Stapf, Hooker’s Icon. Pl., ser. 7, 4. t. 2652. 1900.

长喙毛茛泽泻  chang hui mao gen ze xie

Plants stoloniferous. Leaves entire; floating or aerial leaves ovate to ovate-elliptic, 3–4.5 Χ 3–3.5 cm, base subcordate at base, apex subacute; petiole 12–32 cm. Flowers 1–3 at apex of scape; bracts 2, spatulate, ca. 7 mm. Sepals broadly elliptic, ca. 5 mm. Petals obovate-elliptic, usually ca. as long as sepals. Stamens ca. 2.5 mm; anthers elliptic. Carpels crowded, with an apical, persistent style; receptacle oblong. Achenes nearly obtriangular; beak 3–5 mm. Fl. and fr. Aug–Sep. 2n = 22*.

Marshes, very rare in China. Hunan, Jiangxi, Zhejiang [India, Peninsular Malaysia, Vietnam; Africa].

3. CALDESIA Parlaatore, Fl. Itak.3: 598. 1860.

泽苔草属  ze tai cao shu

Herbs aquatic, perennial, rhizomatous. Leaves all basal, aerial, floating, or submerged, ovate to elliptic; floating leaves deep green, large; aerial leaves nearly leathery, with erect petiole; submerged leaves usually smaller. Inflorescences paniculate or racemose, much branched; branches whorled, each whorl with 3–6 branches; bracts lanceolate. Flowers pedicillate, verticillate, bisexual. Petals usually larger than sepals. Stamens 6–12. Carpels few to numerous in a single whorl, free, each with 1 ovule. Fruitlets drupaceous, with woody endocarp and spongy exocarp, swollen or slightly compressed, with a short beak.

About four species: Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia; two species in China.

1a.     Leaves longer than broad, without veins, apex obtuse, not ribbed, base deeply cordate; stamens 6       1. C. parnassifolia

1b.     Leaves shorter than broad, with veins, apex notched, ribbed, base not cordate; stamens 9–12  2. C. grandis

1. Caldesia parnassifolia (Bassi ex Linnaeus) Parlatore, Nuov. Gen. e Spec. Monocot. 57. 1854.

泽苔草  ze tai cao

Alisma parnassifoliium Bassi ex Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 12, 3: 230. 1768; A. reniforme D. Don; Caldesia parnassifolia var. major Micheli; Caldesia reniformis (D. Don) Makino.

Rhizomes creeping. Petiole 5–100 cm; leaf blade ovate or elliptic, 2–10 Χ 1.5–7 cm, veins 9–15, base cordate to deeply so, apex obtuse. Scapes erect or not, 30–125 cm high; inflorescences paniculate, 20–35 cm. Flowers 3-verticillate; pedicels 2.5–4 cm. Sepals persistent, ovate, 3.5–5 Χ 2–3 mm. Petals ovate, larger than sepals. Stamens 6. Carpels 5–10, laterally compressed, style 2(–4) mm, slender. Fruitlets obovoid, ca. 3 Χ 2 mm, with 3–5 longitudinal ribs abaxially and an erect beak. Fl. and fr. May–Oct. 2n = 22*.

Lakes, ponds, marshes. Heilongjiang, Hunan, Jiangsu, Nei Mongol, Shanxi, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Russia; Africa, Europe].

2. Caldesia grandis G. Samuelsson, Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 24: 116. 1930.

宽叶泽苔草  kuan ye ze tai cao

Rhizomes erect. Petiole 15–55 cm; leaf blade suborbicular, 4.5–7 Χ 6–8 cm, veins 9–12, base usually nearly truncate, apex notched, ribbed. Scapes erect, 30–60 cm high; inflorescences paniculate. Flowers 3-verticillate; pedicels 1.2–2 cm. Sepals persistent, reflexed, elliptic to broadly ovate, 3–4 mm. Petals reflexed, white, spatulate or nearly obovate, 6–7 mm. Stamens 9–12. Carpels usually 15–17; style ca. 1.5 mm, slender. Fruitlets nearly obovoid, ca. 2 mm, with 3–5 longitudinal ribs abaxially and an erect beak. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep. 2n = 22*.

Lakes, marshes. Guangdong, Hubei, Hunan, Taiwan [India, Malaysia].

4. ALISMA Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 342. 1753.

泽泻属  ze xie shu

Herbs, aquatic or of marshes, usually with a tuber. Leaves aerial, floating, or submerged, all basal, petiolate, margin entire. Inflorescences paniculate or occasionally umbellate, branches whorled, each one usually secondarily branched and with bracts at base. Flowers bisexual. Petals usually larger than sepals. Stamens 6. Carpels numerous in a single whorl, free, each with 1 ovule. Achene laterally compressed, 1- or 2-grooved or canaliculate abaxially, with a usually adaxial beak.

About 11 species: temperate and subtropical regions; six species in China (one endemic).

1a.     Anthers broader than long; style 0.1–0.2 mm; plants slender .................................  6. A. nanum

1b.     Anthers narrower than long; style longer than 0.4 mm; plants ± robust.

2a.    Aerial leaves usually elliptic to ovate, base subcordate or truncate.

3a.     Petals marginally denticulate; carpels regularly arranged; styles 0.7–1.5 mm  1. A. plantago-aquatica

3b.     Petals marginally undulate; carpels irregularly arranged; styles ca. 0.5 mm
.............................................................................................................  2. A. orientale

2b.    Aerial leaves lanceolate to broadly lanceolate, cuneate at base.

4a.     Lateral pericarp thin, translucent; styles nearly straight; anthers 1–1.2 mm
........................................................................................................  3. A. lanceolatum

4b.     Lateral pericarp thickish, opaque; styles recurved; anthers 0.5–0.8 mm.

5a.     Leaves ± falcate; achenes abaxially 1-canaliculate; styles not cirriform-recurved  5. A. canaliculatum

5b.     Leaves not falcate; achenes abaxially1–2-grooved; styles cirriform-recurved  4. A. gramineum

1. Alisma plantago-aquatica Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 342. 1753.  

泽泻  ze xie

Tubers 1–3.5 cm in diam. Aerial leaves with petiole 1.5–30 cm: leaf blade broadly lanceolate or elliptic to ovate, 2–11 Χ 1.3–7 cm, sometimes larger, veins 5, base subcordate or truncate at base but sometimes cuneate, apex usually acuminate. Panicles 15–50 cm, in 3–8 whorls of 3–9 branches. Pedicel 1–3.5 cm. Sepals broadly ovate, 2.5–3.5 Χ 2–3 mm. Petals white or purplish white, nearly orbicular, larger than sepals, margin denticulate. Anthers elliptic, ca. 1 mm. Carpels regularly arranged; styles erect, filiform, longer than ovary, 0.7–1.5 mm, stigmatose in upper 1/9–1/5 of their length. Achenes elliptical or nearly oblong, ca. 2.5 Χ 1.5 mm, 1- or 2-grooved abaxially; lateral pericarp thickish, opaque. Fl. and fr. May–Oct. 2n = 14*.

Margins of lakes, ponds, marshes, channels, slow-moving rivers. Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Yunnan [Japan, Mongolia, Russia, Thailand; Australia, Europe, North America].

2. Alisma orientale (G. Samuelsson) Juzepczuk, Fl. URSS 1: 281. 1934.

东方泽泻  dong fang ze xie

Alisma plantago-aquatica Linnaeus var. orientale G. Samuelsson, Acta Horti Gothob. 2: 84. 1926; A. plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale (G. Samuelsson) G. Samuelsson.

Tubers 1–2 cm in diam. Aerial leaves with petiole 3–34 cm; leaf blade broadly lanceolate to elliptic, 3.5–11 Χ 1.3–7 cm, sometimes larger, 5–7-veined, base rounded or subcordate, apex acuminate. Panicles 20–70 cm, in 3–9 whorls of 3–9 branches. Pedicel 0.5–2.5 cm. Sepals ovate, 2–2.5 Χ ca. 1.5 mm. Petals white or pinkish, nearly orbicular, larger than sepals, margin undulate. Anthers ca. 0.5 Χ 0.3–0.4 mm. Carpels irregularly arranged; styles erect, ca. 0.5 mm, longer than ovary, stigmatose in upper ca. 1/5 of their length. Achenes elliptical, ca. 1.5–2 Χ ca. 1 mm, 1- or 2-grooved abaxially; lateral pericarp usually opaque, thickish. Fl. and fr. May–Sep. 2n = 28*.

Margins of lakes, ponds, marshes, channels; up to ca. 2500 m. Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [?India (Assam), Japan, Kashmir, Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia].

This species is similar with Alisma plantago-aquatica, but in A. orientale the flowers and fruit are smaller, the styles only ca. 0.5 mm long, and the petal margins and carpels irregularly arranged.

3. Alisma lanceolatum Withering, Bot. Arr. Brit. Pl., ed. 3, 2: 362. 1796.

膜果泽泻  mo guo ze xie

Tubers 1–2 cm in diam. Aerial leaves with petiole 13–25 cm; leaf blade lanceolate to broadly lanceolate or elliptic, 9–13 Χ 2.5–5 cm, sometimes larger, 5–7-veined, base cuneate, apex acute to acuminate. Panicles 15–45, in 3–6 whorls of 3–6 branches. Pedicel 1.5–2.5 cm. Sepals broadly ovate, 1.5–3.2 Χ 2–2.5 mm. Petals white or pinkish, nearly orbicular, 4–6.5 mm, larger than sepals, margin irregular. Anthers elliptic or oblong, 1–1.2 mm. Carpels regularly arranged; styles ± erect, 0.6–1 mm, equalling or shorter than ovary, stigmatose in upper 1/3–1/2 of their length. Achenes obovoid, 1.6–2(–3) mm, 1-grooved abaxially; lateral pericarp translucent, thin. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 24, 26, 28.

Margins of lakes, marshes, channels, slow-moving rivers. Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Yunnan [N Africa, C Asia, Australia, Europe].

4. Alisma gramineum Lejeune, Fl. Env. Sp. 1: 175. 1811.

草泽泻  cao ze xie

Alisma loeselii Gorski ex Juzepczuk.

Tubers small or not evident. Aerial leaves with petiole 2–31 cm; leaf blade lanceolate, 3–12.5 Χ 0.6–2 cm, sometimes larger, 3–5-veined, base cuneate, apex acuminate at base. Panicles 6–56 cm, in 2–5 whorls of 3–9 branches. Pedicel 1.5–4.5 cm. Sepals broadly ovate, 2.5–4.5 Χ 1.5–2.5 mm. Petals white, nearly orbicular, larger than sepals. Anthers elliptic, ca. 0.5 mm. Carpels regularly arranged; styles erect, ca. 0.4 mm, shorter than ovary, cirriform-recurved, stigmatose in upper 1/3–1/2 of their length. Achenes obovoid or triangular, 2–3 mm, 1- or 2-grooved abaxially; lateral pericarp splendent, opaque, thickish. Fl. and fr. Jun–Sep. 2n = 14, 16.

Margins of lakes, ponds, marshes, channels. Gansu, Heilongjiang, Henan, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Qinghai, Shanxi, Xinjiang [Mongolia; Africa, Asia, Europe, North America].

5. Alisma canaliculatum A. Braun & Bouchι, Ind. Sem. Hort. Berol. 4. 1867.

窄叶泽泻  zhai ye ze xie

Tubers 1–3 cm in diam. Aerial leaves with petiole 9–30 cm; leaf blade slightly falcate, lanceolate, 6–45 Χ 1–5 cm, 3–5-veined, base cuneate or gradually attenuate to petiole, apex acuminate. Panicles 35–65 cm, in 3–6 whorls of 3–9 branches. Pedicel 2–4.5 cm. Sepals oblong, 3–3.5 mm. Petals white, nearly orbicular, margin irregular. Anthers ca. 0.8 mm. Carpels regularly arranged; styles recurved, ca. 0.5 mm, stigmatose in upper ca. 1/3 of their length. Achenes obovoid, 2–2.5 mm, 1-canaliculate on back; lateral pericarp opaque, thickish. Fl. and fr. May–Oct. 2n = 28, 34, 40, 42*.

Margins of lakes, ponds, marshes, streams. Anhui, Fujian, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Zhejiang [India, Japan including Ryukus].

6. Alisma nanum D. F. Cui, Bull. Bot. Res., Harbin 12(4): 369. 1992.

小泽泻  xiao ze xie

Plants slender, without tubers. Aerial leaves with petiole 1.2–4 cm, slender; leaf blade broadly lanceolate or elliptic to ovate, 1.5–3.7 Χ 0.6–2.3 cm, base rounded or slightly cuneate, apex acute. Panicles 2–9 cm, in 1–3 whorls of 3–9 branches, rarely umbellate. Pedicel 1–2.5 cm. Sepals broadly ovate, ca. 1.5 Χ 1.2 mm. Petals white or pinkish, equalling or larger than sepals Anthers ca. 0.2 Χ 0.5 mm. Carpels 8–12; styles 0.1–0.2 mm, shorter than ovary, stigmatose in upper 1/5–1/3 of their length. Achenes elliptical, ca. 1.5 mm, 1-grooved abaxially; lateral pericarp translucent, thin. Fl. and fr. Jul–Sep.

* Marshes, ca. 600 m. Xinjiang.

 



1 Herbarium of Wuhan University, Department of Biology, Wuchang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China

[1] Herbarium, Biological Sciences, Biodiversity and Systematics Department, University of Alabama, Box 870345, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0345, U.S.A.

[2] Department of Biology, Massachusetts College of  Liberal Arts, North Adams, Massachusetts 01247-4100, U.S.A.