ALISMATACEAE -Hydrocleys – Hydrocleys nymphoides

ALISMATACEAE

Water plantain family

Alismataceae uncludes approxi – mately 16 genera of aquatic herbs, which are widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions.  This family was assumed to be primitive because of thu numerous stamens, but current thought is that the group is more highly evolved. The plants have tuberous roots or rhi-zomes and a latex sap. The shape of the leaf varies considerably if growing underwater, floating, or above the surface (emergent). Flowers are bisexual, or unisexual with male and female flowers on the same plant(monoecious) or on  separate plants (dioecious). Young plants are produced at the ands of stolons and can be used for propagation. They can be grown in pond margins or in submerged contain -ers half – filled with loam. A layer of gravel is spread on top to keep the soil from floating. Adjust containers with blocks so the water just covers the container. In temperate regions store tubers indoors in win-ter. Because they are potentially in vasive, these species should be grown only in artificial, free – stand -ing  ponds , never in bodies  of water connected to wetlands or streams.

Hydrocleys includes approximately 9 species of tuberous aquatic herbs from South America and the lesser  Antilles. Some authors place Hydrocleys in Limnocharitaceae, but these species are awaiting funther analysis. leaves are emergent (held above the water) or sometimes floating. Flowers are bisexual. They have 3 showy petals and are emergent.

Hydrocleys nymphoides

Water – poppy

Synonym: Limnocharis humboldtii. South America. lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico. Semideciduous herb to 4 ft, zones 9-10. Blooms late summer, fall. Aquatic Free – floating or rooted in pond muck. Full to part sun. Flowers:cup – shaped, to 2 in.wide, petals overlapping, lemon – yellow. Leaves: ovate to suborbicular, 4-5 in. wide, base cordate, floating or emergent Each flower lasts a day with more opening in succession.