Ribbon-leaved water-plantain  (Alisma gramineum)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The aquatic ribbon-leaved water plantain resembles its more common relative, common water plantain; however it is generally more diminutive in all dimensions, has aerial leaves that are not heart-shaped at the base and submerged leaves that are long and ribbon-like. The plant may however be identified with certainty by its styles which are strongly curved back. The small, three-petalled flowers are white or pale pink with a yellow spot at the centre, are about 5-7 mm across and grow in a many-branched head with an average of about 60 flowers but up to 300. The species is also easily mistaken for another close relative, the narrow-leaved water-plantain, and these two were originally thought to be varieties of the common water-plantain.

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