Citation: Orch., Brunonia 4:48 (1981). (Ilk Orchard (1986) Brunonia 8:, fig. 3.)

Synonymy: M. elatinoides sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 646 (1952), in part, auct. non Gaudich. (1825).

Common name: None

Description:
Perennial aquatic herb, stems 0.3-2 m long; leaves dimorphic; submerged leaves in whorls of 4 or 5, ovate, pectinate, 1.2-2.5 cm long; with 10-18 pinnae; emergent leaves in widely spaced whorls of 4 or 5, ovate, 4-8 mm long, entire or denticulate.

Plants monoecious, flowers unisexual, solitary in the axils; bracteoles green to purple, oblong, 1-2 mm long; male flowers 4-merous, sessile; sepals deltoid, c. 0.3 mm long; petals green to purple, 2.6-3.5 mm long, hooded, caducous; stamens 8, anthers linear-oblong; styles vestigial; ovary reduced to a torus; female flowers 4-merous, sessile; sepals 0; petals vestigial; stamens 0; styles broadly conical, stigmas smooth to minutely papillose; ovary cylindrical, 0.7-1.5 mm long, 4-locular.

Fruit globose, a deep purplish-black; mericarps ovoid, 2-2.5 mm long, rounded on the dorsal surface; smooth to minutely punctate.

Distribution:  In calcareous waters plants of this species often become lime-encrusted. S.Aust.: EP, SL, KI, SE.   W.Aust.; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: Sept. — Jan.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Author: Not yet available