Limnophyton angolense Buchenau

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

Morphology Leaves

Petioles about 85 cm. long; blade of mature leaves sagittate, usually constricted laterally on a level with the petiole apex, 10–15 cm. measured along the midrib, 10–20 cm. wide at the constriction; lobes 13–20 cm. long, with the angle between them less than 90°; nerves 17–25; petiole and blade (especially on the lower surface) pubescent, the older, larger leaves rarely glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of 4–6 whorls; bracts lanceolate, acute, 2–2.5 × 0.5 cm., pubescent on the back and margins; bracteoles 10–20, pubescent, about 1 cm. long; basal whorl with 7–11 hermaphrodite flowers and 8–12 male flowers; pedicels 2–4 cm. long, not more than 0.5 mm. in diameter in the fruiting flowers and weakly recurved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flower measurements as for L. obtusifolium (L.) Miq.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Achenes ovoid, up to 5 × 4 mm. when dried, with the stalk 1.5 mm. long, longitudinally ridged, smooth and glossy red-brown; when fresh they are up to 8 × 5 mm., with the ridges scarcely evident.

Figures

Fig. 5/6–13.

Habitat

Swamps; 1000–1200 m.

Distribution

scattered distribution from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria, to eastern Africa and Northern Rhodesia T1 T4 U1 U4

Alismataceae, F. N. Hepper. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:1. 1968

Morphology General Habit

An aquatic herb similar to the last (Limnophyton obtusifolium), up to 4 ft. high.