Zannichellia

Zannichellia
Zannichellia palustris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Potamogetonaceae
Genus: Zannichellia
L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Aponogeton J.Hill, 1756
  • Pelta Dulac
  • Pseudalthenia (Graebn.) Nakai
  • Vleisia Toml. & Posl.

Zannichellia (common name horned pondweed)[2] is a genus of submerged aquatic flowering plant,[3] with threadlike leaves and tiny flowers.[3] It is fully adapted to an aquatic life cycle, including underwater pollination.[2]

There are perhaps five species, including Zannichellia palustris.[4]

The genus is named after Gian Girolamo Zannichelli (1662–1729), Italian botanist.

Description

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These slender plants grow submerged in water. The leaves are usually oppositely arranged and long and narrow. They have stipular sheaths.[5]

The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers have a single stamen with a slender filament and anthers that are 2-4-thecous.[5]

The female flowers have a cup-shaped membranous perianth. There are usually four carpels with a single pendulous ovule in each ovary. The stigma is shield shaped with toothed margins.[5]

The fruit is usually made of four long, dry achenes. The seeds are pendulous with a sub-cylindric embryo. The cotyledonous end is folded on itself twice.[5]

Distribution

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The species of this genus are widely distributed and are found growing in temperate and tropical regions around the world.[5][1] They grow in brackish and salt water.[5]

Selected species

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The following species are accepted:[1]

References

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  • Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Zannichellia". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  1. ^ a b c "Zannichellia". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  2. ^ a b Robertson Arber, Agnes (2008). Water Plants; A Study of Aquatic Angiosperms. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4086-5146-9.
  3. ^ a b Tiner, Ralph W. W. (1993). Field guide to coastal wetland plants of the southeastern United States. Abigail Rorer (Illustrator). University of Massachusetts Press. ISBN 978-0-87023-833-8.
  4. ^ "Zannichellia in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Phillips, Edwin Percy (1951). The genera of South African flowering plants. South Africa: Government Printer.