Aponogetonaceae

1 gen., trop. to temp.

Aponogeton L.

5 species in Aust. (4 native, 1 naturalized); all states and territories except Tas.

Aponogeton distachyos L.f.

Aquatic herb with roots and leaves arising from the top of a tuberous rootstock. Leaves floating with long petioles; laminas oblong, up to 30 cm long, with prominent cross-veins. Flowers bisexual, irregular, in a forked, spike-like cyme enclosed at first in a spathe. Perianth segment solitary, up to 1.5 cm long, white to pinkish. Stamens 15–20. Carpels 3–6, free, superior. Fruit a follicle. Still water. Introd. from S. Africa. Fl. winter