Family: Araliaceae
Hydrocotyle verticillata
Citation:
Thunb., Diss. Hydrocotyle 2, 5, t. [Fig. 2] (1798).
Synonymy: H. vulgaris sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 651 (1952), non L.
Common name: Shield pennywort.
Description:
Glabrous perennial with underground stolons and creeping stems rooting at the nodes; leaves petiolate, singly or clustered to 2 or 3 rising from the nodes of the rhizomes; leaf. blades orbicular, 2-6 cm diam., crenate, peltate, attached at the centre to the petiole, with 8-14 veins; petioles 1-25 cm long, usually several times longer than the diameter of the blades.
Peduncles with inflorescence half to almost as long as the petiole; inflorescence a simple or sometimes once or twice forked interrupted spike with 2-7 whorls of few almost sessile flowers subtended by minute lanceolate bracts; petals creamy-yellow.
Fruits flattened laterally, c. 2 mm long, c. 3 mm broad, transversely broad-elliptical with a slightly broad-cuneate base; carpophore absent; styles divergent, erect, much shorter than the width of the mericarps; dorsal and intermediate ribs of mericarps filiform, prominent; lateral ribs inconspicuous.
Distribution:
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In freshwater swamps or along streams and rivers, sometimes growing partially submerged.
S.Aust.: LE, FR, MU, SL, SE. Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.
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Conservation status:
native
Flowering time: Nov. — April.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
No text
Author:
Not yet available
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