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Species
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L.f.
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Water Pennywort is a rare plant that is state-listed as 'endangered.' It is thought to be native to Clinton County in southern Illinois, while elsewhere in the state it is probably introduced or adventive (see Distribution Map). The webmaster has recently observed a large colony of this species in Vermillion County, Illinois. Typical habitats are marshes, swamps, and ponds. In Europe, Water Pennywort is considered an invasive species. Considering its tendency to develop large colonies, it is surprising that this species isn't more common in North America than it is.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wt_pennywort.htm |
Information about floral-faunal relationships for this species is currently unavailable. The small flowers, which are hidden by the foliage, appear to attract few insect visitors.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wt_pennywort.htm |
Rare
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1
Rounded Global Status Rank: G5 - Secure
The preference is full sun to light shade, wet conditions, and mucky soil or shallow water (slow-moving or stagnant). This species can spread aggressively.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wt_pennywort.htm |
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, known commonly as water pennywort or floating pennywort, is an aquatic plant in the family Apiaceae. It is native to North and South America and parts of Africa. In the United Kingdom it is an invasive alien species which is currently spreading in waterways.[1][2][3] It is one of five aquatic plants which are to be banned from sale in the UK from April 2014. This is the first prohibition of its kind in the country.[4] Water pennywort is also a weed in Australia. On the other hand, it is a threatened species in parts of its native range in the United States.[5]
Water pennywort has stems that spread horizontally and can float on water.[6] Leaves grow on petioles up to 35 cm long, and are round to kidney-shaped, with 3–7 lobes and crenate to entire margins.[7] Flowers are small, pale greenish white to pale yellow, and come in umbels of 5–13.[6] Fruits are small achenes that can float, helping the seeds to disperse.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21232108
- ^ USDA Plants Profile
- ^ a b c "Water Pennywort". Retrieved 16 December 2012.
- ^ "H. ranunculoides". Jepson Manual. University of California. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
This Apiaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hydrocotyle_ranunculoides&oldid=628511641 |
The attractive leaves of Water Pennywort resemble those of Nasturtiums an introduced horticultural plant that is often cultivated in flower gardens. However, this resemblance is superficial, as they are members of different plant families. The expression 'Pennywort' refers to a European species with smaller leaves; Water Pennywort has larger leaves that are about the same size as a silver dollar. There are several Hydrocotyle spp. (Pennyworts) that occur in scattered areas of the Midwest; these are mostly wetland species. Because they appear similar to each other, it can be difficult to distinguish these species. Some Pennyworts have peltate leaf blades (i.e., their petioles join the middle of the leaf blades, remaining remote from the leaf margins), while other Pennyworts have non-peltate leaf blades (i.e., their petioles join the edge of the leaf blades where the leaf margin occurs). Water Pennywort is deceptive in this regard
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/wt_pennywort.htm |
Perennial semi-aquatic herb.