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| − | The '''water-plantains''' ('''Alismataceae''') are a family of [[flowering plant]]s, comprising 11 genera and between 85 and 95 species. The family has a [[cosmopolitan distribution]], with the greatest number of species in [[temperate]] regions of the [[Northern Hemisphere]]. Most of the species are [[Herbaceous plant|herbaceous]] [[aquatic plant]]s growing in [[marsh]]es and [[pond]]s. | + | The '''water-plantains''' ('''''Alismataceae''''') are a family of monocot plants, mostly aquatic. Several species, notably in the genus ''[[Sagittaria]]'', have edible [[rhizome]]s, grown for both human food and animal fodder in southern and eastern Asia. |
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| − | ==Description==
| + | The leaves and flower buds of ''[[Limnocharis flava]]'' (''genjer'') are eaten in Southeast Asia as "poor people's vegetable". |
| − | Most Alismataceae are robust [[Perennial plant|perennials]], but some may be [[Annual plant|annual]] or perennial, depending on water conditions — they are normally perennial in permanent waters, annual in more seasonal conditions but there are exceptions. The [[Plant stem|stems]] are [[corm]]-like or [[stolon]]iferous. Juvenile and submerse [[Leaf|leaves]] are often [[Leaf shape|linear]], whilst more mature and emerse leaves can be linear to [[Leaf shape|ovate]] or even [[Leaf shape|sagittate]]. Most have a distinct [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]], with a sheathed base.
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| − | The [[inflorescence]] is usually compound with whorls of branches, though some are [[umbel]]-like, and others have solitary [[flower]]s. The flowers are regular, bisexual or unisexual. There are three [[sepal]]s which usually persist in the [[fruit]]. Three petals, usually conspicuous, white, pink, purple, occasionally with yellow or purple spots. The [[petal]]s rarely last more than one day. In ''[[Burnatia]]'' and ''[[Wiesneria]]'' the petals are minute and even occasionally absent in female flowers. [[Stamen]]s are 3, 6, 9 or numerous. The [[Ovary (plants)|ovary]] is superior, comprising 3 - numerous free [[Gynoecium|carpels]] in one whorl or in a clustered head. Each carpel contains 1 (-2) anatropous [[ovule]]s.
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| − | [[Fruit]] is a head of [[Nut (fruit)|nutlet]]s (except in ''[[Damasonium]]''). The [[seed]]s have no [[endosperm]] and a curved or folded [[embryo]].
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| − | ==Classification==
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| − | Under the [[APG III system]], the Alismataceae includes three genera formerly members of the [[Limnocharitaceae]]. Altogether, there are 17 extant genera and two fossil genera assigned to the Alismataceae:<ref>[http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/alismata.htm Alismataceae] in [http://delta-intkey.com/angio/ L. Watson and M.J. Dallwitz (1992 onwards). The families of flowering plants.]</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Haggard | first=Kristina K. |author2=Tiffney, Bruce H. | year=1997 | title=The Flora of the Early Miocene Brandon Lignite, Vermont, USA. VIII. ''Caldesia'' (Alismataceae) | journal=American Journal of Botany | volume=84 | issue=2 | pages=239–252 | doi=10.2307/2446086 | jstor=2446086 | publisher=Botanical Society of America }}</ref><ref>[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do;jsessionid=16C963FB3B760714D96041A5493D2712 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]</ref>
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| | *''[[Wiesneria]]'' <small>Micheli<!--1881--></small> | | *''[[Wiesneria]]'' <small>Micheli<!--1881--></small> |
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| − | ==Cultivation and uses==
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| − | [[File:Echinodorus isthmicus2.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Echinodorus isthmicus]]'']]
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| − | Several species, notably in the genus ''[[Sagittaria]]'', have edible [[rhizome]]s, grown for both human food and animal [[fodder]] in [[South Asia|southern]] and [[East Asia|eastern Asia]]. They were eaten as food by the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|indigenous peoples of North America]]. Most have value as food for wildlife. Some are grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in [[Water garden|bog gardens]], [[pond]]s and [[aquarium]]s. ''[[Limnocharis flava]]'''s leaves and flower buds are eaten in Southeast Asia as "poor people's vegetable". {{Citation needed|date=May 2014}}
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| | {{Reflist}} | | {{Reflist}} |
| − | *[http://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/neotropikey/families/Marantaceae.htm Neotropical Alismataceae]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | {{Wikisource1911Enc|Alismaceae}}
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| − | {{commonscat-inline}}
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| − | {{wikispecies-inline}}
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| − | {{taxonbar}} | + | {{Ack-Wikipedia}} |
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| | [[Category:Alismatales families]] | | [[Category:Alismatales families]] |
| | [[Category:Aquatic plants]] | | [[Category:Aquatic plants]] |
| | [[Category:Alismataceae| ]] | | [[Category:Alismataceae| ]] |
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