Alismataceae

Ranalisma Stapf

First published in Hooker's Icon. Pl. 27: t. 2652 (1900)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropical Africa, E. Himalaya to S. China and Peninsula Malaysia.

Descriptions

Alismataceae, Susan Carter. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1960

Morphology General Habit
Perennial stoloniferous glabrous marsh herbs
Morphology Leaves
Leaves erect, or spreading; leaf-blade ovate to linear-lanceolate; base cordate to cuneate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence pseudo-umbellate, 1–3-flowered with 2 membranous bracts; flowers sometimes replaced by vegetative buds—the peduncle bends over stolon-like and the buds develop into new plants
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers bisexual
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 3, reflexed in the fruiting stage
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 3, larger than the sepals, white
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens (6–)9(–12); filaments filiform
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Carpels
Carpels ∞, free on a convex receptacle; styles terminal, hooked; ovules solitary, basal
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit a globose head of achenes spirally arranged on the elongated receptacle; achenes strongly compressed laterally, glandular, winged, with a terminal beak formed by the remains of the style.
[FTEA]

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2009). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 12 (part 2). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit
Perennial stoloniferous marsh herbs, glabrous
Morphology Leaves
Leaves erect or spreading; petioles long, sheathing at base; leaf lanceolate to narrowly ovate or linear, cordate to cuneate at base
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence pseudo-umbellate with 1–3 flowers and 2 spathaceous and membranous bract, the flowers sometimes replaced by vegetative buds which develop into new plants
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 3, herbaceous, persistent and reflexed at fruiting stage
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 3, white, larger than sepals, deciduous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens (6)9(12) with filiform filaments; anther ovoid, basifixed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Carpels
Carpels numerous, free, congested on receptacle; styles terminal, hooked; ovules solitary, basal-Achenes many, spirally arranged on elongated receptacle, strongly compressed laterally, winged, with a terminal beak formed by the persistent style, glandular
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed oblong, compressed.
Distribution
A genus of 2 species, one in tropical SE Asia and the Malay Peninsula (R. rostratum Stapf), the other in tropical Africa
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
The flowers are often replaced by vegetative buds and the inflorescence bends over to the substrate, giving rise to vegetative reproduction. Flowers bisexual, with convex receptacle
[FZ]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • 'The Herbarium Catalogue, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.kew.org/herbcat [accessed on Day Month Year]'. Please enter the date on which you consulted the system.

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0