Nationalpark-Donau-Auen-17832-10-Flora-Wasserpflanzen-Froschloffel,Neumair.jpg

Water-plantain

Alisma plantago-aquatica

In German, Water-plantain is known as "Froschlöffel" or literally, "frog spoon". And like its fellow wetlands inhabitant the frog, Water-plantain is most likely to be found at the edge of standing, shallow water. The Water-plantain is one of the few native flora species which can be found all around the world.

Description

Water-plantain grows from 20 to 100cm in height, whereby its leaves are towered over by a pyramid-shaped inflorescence with small lively flowers. The green foliage springs from a thick bulbous rhizome and forms bands of aquatic leaves or, above water, large tufts of spear- or spoon-shaped leaves whose base is rounded to slightly heart shaped. Flowering season is from June to September, but the flowers themselves only open between 12 noon and 5:00 p.m. Like all members of the Alismataceae family, its flowers have three petals with a colour ranging from white to pale pink.

Distribution

The species may be found around the world. In Austria, Water-plantain may be found from lowlands to the upper montane zones. The plant prefers shallow waters near the edge of lakes, ponds, marshes and backwaters with muddy, nutrient-rich bottoms.

Endangerment and Conservation Status
In western Austria, the species is rare and classified as regionally vulnerable.

Ecological Characteristics
Water-plantain is capable of forming either delicate, linear aquatic leaves or the more typical spoon-shaped aerial leaves, as water conditions require.

Special Characteristics
The rootstock and leaves of the Water-plantain contain an acrid milky fluid which is mildly poisonous when fresh. These portions of the plant were used in former times as a laxative.

🍪

Wir verwenden Cookies

Wir nutzen Cookies auf unserer Website. Einige von ihnen sind essenziell, andere helfen uns dabei die Nutzungserfahrung zu verbessern.