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Hydrocharis morsus-ranae

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Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.

Family Name: Hydrocharitaceae
Synonyms: Hydrocharis asarifolia Gray, Hydrocharis batrachyodegma St.-Lag
Common Name: Common Frogbit, European Frogbit

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Floating Aquatic)
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Europe and Asia
Native Habitat Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River)
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A dioecious, evergreen, free-floating plant that can grow up to 10cm in height.  
Roots Long and numerous. 
Foliage The leaves are heart-shaped with a rounded apex. Leaf is glossy and smooth to touch with an entire margin, green and veined on the upper surface while spongy on the lower surface. The spongy lower surface is what helps the plant to float on water. The leaves are said to resemble the leaves of a miniature water lily. Leaves usually grow on the water surface but will rise above the water surface when the water is congested with the plant. 
Flowers Unisexual and have three white petals with a yellow centre. 
Habitat Is found growing in marshes, swamps and ditches wth poor drainage. It prefers calcium-rich water.  
Cultivation The plant is best grown under full sun in still or slow-moving water. 

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Pond / Lake / River
Thematic Landscaping Water Garden
Usage Hazard - Cons Invasive / Potentially Invasive
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Large populations can form thick dense mats covering the water surface, restricting light, exchange of gases and nutrients.  

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Lots of Water
Rootzone Tolerance Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Alkaline high pH Soils, Easy to Grow
Maintenance Requirements Low
Fertilizing Does not need fertilizing. 
Propagation Method Seed, Stolon / Runner
Propagation Ease Easy
Propagation Method Remarks The plant is propagated mainly by the daughter plants formed at the ends of the stolons. Seeds are rarely produced by the plant. 

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Rounded

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Runner / Stolon

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) White, Yellow / Golden
Flower Texture(s) Thin
Flower Grouping Solitary
Flower Location Axillary

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 31293
Species ID 5690
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 20 August 2021.
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