Citation: Scop., Fl. Carniolica edn 2, 2:251 (1772).

Synonymy: Callitriche verna

Common name: Common starwort.

Description:
Relatively robust plant, amphibious but usually aquatic; leaves variable, from linear-spathulate through obovate to almost circular, 2.5-25 mm long, 1-9 mm wide but usually about 7 x 6 mm, 3-5- or 7-nerved, upper leaves forming a rosette, lower ones usually narrower, 3-nerved.

Flowers solitary or male and female together; bracteoles conspicuous and persistent, lanceolate, 0.8-1.5 mm long, white; stamens 1.4-2 mm long; styles 2.5-3.5 mm long, erect, becoming recurved in fruit.

Fruit pale-buff, about as long as broad, 1.2-1.7 mm in diam., sessile, wing broad and running around the base and also usually the top of each nutlet, commissural groove wide and deep, faces of fruit virtually flat.

	Habit, flower and fruit in three views.
Image source: fig. 552C in Jessop J.P. & Toelken H.R. (Ed.) 1986. Flora of South Australia (4th edn).

Published illustration: Aston (1973) Aquatic plants of Australia, fig. 20; Orchard (1980) J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 2:192, fig. 1d-f.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: FR, NL, MU, SL, SE.   All States; almost cosmopolitan. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: almost year round with a peak between Sept. — April.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Taxonomic notes: This is the most common as well as the largest of the S.Aust. species, easily recognisable by its large, sessile, pale coloured fruits with flat faces, and its large persistent bracteoles.

Author: Not yet available