Citation: Labill., Nov. Holl. Pl. Sp. 2:70 (1806).

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: Broad water-milfoil.

Description:
Marsh-inhabiting or semi-aquatic mat-forming herb, stems to 5-7 cm tall; leaves all of 1 type, all opposite, oblanceolate to obovate, 4-10 (rarely 13) mm long, subfleshy, entire, with a terminal gland.

Plants monoecious, flowers unisexual, solitary in axils; bracteoles linear to lanceolate, rarely almost ovate, 0.5-0.8 mm long, acute; male flowers 4-merous, sessile (rarely on a pedicel to 0.5 mm long); sepals lanceolate or oblanceolate to ovate or obovate, 0.8-1.2 mm long, acute; petals red, 1.8-3 mm long, hooded, persistent; stamens 8, anthers oblong; styles and ovary 0; female flowers 4-merous, sessile; sepals deltoid, c. 0.4 mm long, persistent; petals and stamens 0; styles narrow-cylindrical, becoming reflexed, stigmas red fading to white, fimbriate; ovary ovoid, 0.8-0.9 mm long, 4-locular.

Fruit sessile, a deep purplish-black; mericarps ovoid to tear-shaped, 1.1.-1.2 mm long (including the persistent recurved style), dorsal surface sparsely warty-papillose.

Published illustration: Cochrane et al. (1980) Flowers and plants of Victoria and Tasmania, fig. 269; Orchard (1986) Brunonia 8:, fig. 42.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: SL, KI.   Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: throughout summer and autumn with a peak in Nov. — March.

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

Biology: Leaf shape is variable. Schindler (1905) recognised narrow- and broad-leaved varieties but the variation in this character seems to be continuous.

Author: Not yet available