Botanical Name: Callitriche stagnalis
Family: Plantaginaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Callitriche
Species: C. stagnalis
Synonyms: Callitriche platycarpa Kuetzing.
Common Names: Common starwort, Common water starwort, Common water-starwort, Mud water starwort, Pond water starwort, Pond water-starwort, Starwort, Water starwort.
Habitat: Callitriche stagnalis is native to both Europe and North Africa, where it is widespread in aquatic and subaquatic habitats. Currently C. stagnalis has been found in Europe, Northern Africa, The United States, Asia, Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand. It is normally found in aquatic environments particularly in which there is little to no motion. C. stagnalis frequents lakes, ponds, salt marshes, and slow moving rivers and streams. This species is able to thrive in both fresh and brackish water habitats.
Description:
Callitriche stagnalis is a perennial aquatic vascular plant species. Also known as pond water-starwort, C. stagnalis, may thrive in a variety of aquatic and subaquatic habitats, specially those exhibiting slowly moving to non-moving water.
The general appearance of C. stagnalis differs slightly depending on whether the plant being viewed was submerged or floating. Both exhibit long stems that vary in length from approximately 1 to 3 decimeters. These stems give rise to leaves that are oppositely arranged. The characteristic difference between the submerged and floating C. stagnalis is its leaf shape. Submerged leaves of C. stagnalis are linear, appearing long and thin with one vein running up the center. Floating leaves of C. stagnalis, however, may be spatulate to obovate in shape, which appear much wider that the typical submerged leaves, and contain a much larger number of veins (5-7). Growth of the leaves of C. stagnalis also differs depending on whether they are submerged or floating. Submerged leaves can grow 4 to 10 mm in length whereas floating leaves may only reach 2 mm in length. Submerged leaves are typically thin but may be wider in some cases making it harder to differentiate them from their floating counterparts which may grow 5 to 8 mm in width.
Slender stems reach to the surface and form floating mats of leaves, which are often round to spoon-shaped but are variable in morphology. The plants are monoecious, with male and female flowers on an individual. Both types of flower are very tiny and whitish in color.
Cultivation:
A water plant, it should be allowed to root into the soil at the bottom of the pond or be grown in a pot in the pond. This species is an excellent oxygenator of the water and a good food source for fish. It provides a good habitat for wildlife in the pond, the leaves holding spawn well. This species belongs to one of only two known dicot genera where pollination taks place under water. Plants remain active all winter.
ery tiny and whitish in color.
Cultivation:
Propagation:
Seed – we have no details on this species but would suggest that the seed will be best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in about 5cm of water. It is quite likely that the seed has a short viability, especially if it is allowed to become dry. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings can be taken at any time in the growing season. They root easily, even if just placed in a pot of water.
Edible Uses:
Plant may be eaten after properly boiled & seasoned.
Medicinal Uses:
Could not find anywhere.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callitriche_stagnalis
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Callitriche+palustris
