Alisma lanceolatum With.
lance-leaved water-plantain (lanceleaf water plantain)
Alismataceae (Water-plantain family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
lance-leaved water-plantain (lanceleaf water plantain)
Alismataceae (Water-plantain family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Photograph
Species Information
General:
Perennial aquatic herb from a corm-like stem-base and a fibrous root; stems 15-100 cm tall.
Leaves:
All basal, long-stalked, the blades lanceolate, 6-12 cm long, 1-3 cm wide.
Flowers:
Inflorescence an open, bracteate panicle of long-stalked flowers; petals pink or sometimes purplish-pink, 4.5-6.5 mm long; sepals green, sometimes purplish-streaked, 2-2.2 mm long.
Fruits:
Achenes, nearly globe-shaped, about 2-3 mm long.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
Habitat and Range
Pond margins, shorelines and ditches in the lowland zone; rare in SW BC, known only from the lower Fraser Valley; introduced from Europe.Status Information
Taxonomic Keys
1. Leaf blades broadly lanceolate to egg-shaped; petals usually white.............Alisma triviale
1. Leaf blades linear, lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate; petals pink, pinkish or white. 2. Inflorescence overtopping the leaves; petals 4.5-6.5 mm long, pink or sometimes purplish-pink..............Alisma lanceolatum 2. Inflorescence usually not overtopping the leaves; petals 2.5-3.5 mm long, pink or white.........Alisma gramineum Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia |