Home | > | List of families | > | Hydrostachyaceae | > | Hydrostachys | > | polymorpha |
Synonyms: |
Hydrostachys cristulata Wedd. Hydrostachys multipinnata Engl. Hydrostachys natalensis Wedd. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Locally common. |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Aquatic perennial herb. Leaves more or less submerged, tufted, fern-like, up to 70 cm long, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate in outline, 2-3-pinnate; primary pinnae in 25-70 pairs, each densely divided again into small scale-like, simple or filiform-branched pinnules; petiole and rhachis flattened, covered with numerous small, ovate, scale-like appendages. Inflorescences erect, emergent spikes up to 30 cm long, unisexual, browinish. Flowers minute. Fruit ellipic, hairless, up to c. 2.5 × 1 mm. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | polymorpha: of many forms |
Habitat: | Attached to rocks in rapids and waterfalls in fast-flowing mountain streams, often forming extensive colonies. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Angola, Namibia, DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | C,E |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Friday 2 March 2012 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 32. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 76. Hauman, L. (1948). Hydrostachyaceae Flore du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi Volume I Page 29. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 54. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 67. Stannard, B.L. (1997). Hydrostachyaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(2) Pages 12 - 14. (Includes a picture). |
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