Aquatic and Wetland Vascular Plants of the Northern Great Plains
51. Alismataceae, the Water Plantain Family
1. Alisma L. -- Water plantain1. Alisma gramineum Gmel.
Plants upright when submersed or emergent, often low-spreading when stranded, commonly 0.5-2 dm tall, but to 6 dm long in deeper water. Emersed leaves, if present, with blades lanceolate to oblong-elliptic, 2-10 cm long, 1-3 cm wide; totally submersed leaves phyllodial, long-linear, ribbonlike, to 6 dm long, 2-10 mm wide; petioles 3-15 cm long and often recurved on stranded plants, to 40 cm long on emergent specimens. Scapes 2-20(40) cm long, commonly short and recurved when stranded. Panicles shorter than to somewhat exceeding the leaves in height; branches spreading to ascending; bracts acute to obtuse, 3-10 mm long. Flowers numerous (sometimes few in stunted individuals); sepals obtuse, 2-2.5 mm long; petals usually pinkish, 1-2.5 mm long; pedicels 0.5-3 cm long. Achenes 2-2.5 mm long, with a central ridge and 2 lateral ridges down the back. Jul--Sep. Muddy shores, flats and stream banks or often in shallow water, commonly where the water is brackish; occasional from e ND to c NE, more frequent w; (Circumboreal, in N.Amer. from Que. to sw B.C., s to NY, MN, NE, CO, ID and n GA). A. geyeri Torr.
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