Citation: Orch., Brunonia 8:210 (1986).

Synonymy: M. propinquum sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust 646 (1952), in part, auct. non Cunn. (1839).

Common name: None

Description:
Stout perennial aquatic or marsh-inhabiting herb; stems stiff, 25-60 cm tall, pilose with crisped white hairs, rarely glabrous; leaves dimorphic; submerged leaves in whorls of 5-8, ovate, pectinate, 15-30 (rarely to 55)mm long, with 12-20 pinnae, often absent in terrestrial or marsh plants; emergent leaves in whorls of 6-9, the uppermost terete, 5-18 mm long, the lower ones broadly lanceolate, shortly pectinate with 6-8 pinnae.

Plants monoecious, flowers unisexual, solitary in axils; bracteoles of male flowers lanceolate to ovate, 0.6-0.7 mm long, acute, entire, those of females smaller; male flowers 4-merous, sessile; sepals ovate to oblong, 0.6-0.8 mm long, tip acute to obtuse; petals cream to reddish-brown or purplish, 2-2.6 (rarely 3.6) mm long, hooded, tardily caducous; stamens 8, anthers linear-oblong; styles 0; ovary vestigial; female flowers 4-merous, sessile; sepals, petals and stamens 0; styles 4, filiform, reflexed, stigmas white, long-fimbriate; ovary deep-red, cubiform, 0.6-0.7 mm long, 4-locular.

fruit yellow-brown to deep-red, cubiform; mericarps cylindrical, tapering slightly to the obliquely truncate apex, moderately densely echinate-muricate on the dorsal surface.

Published illustration: Cochrane et al. (1980) Flowers and plants of Victoria and Tasmania 62, fig. 270 as M. propinquum; Orchard (1986) Brunonia 8:, fig. 15.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: MU, SL.   W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.; Vic.; Tas. Conservation status: native Flowering time: almost all the year round but with a peak from Oct. — April.

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

Biology: The crisped hairs on the stems and leaf bases of this species are unique in the genus.

Author: Not yet available