Lanceleaf water plantain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lanceleaf water plantain |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alisma
|
| Species: |
lanceolatum
|
Alisma lanceolatum is a type of aquatic plant, which means it lives in water. It's also known as the lanceleaf water plantain or narrow-leaved water plantain. This plant belongs to the water plantain family. You can find it in many parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It has also spread to places like Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North America (like Oregon, California, and British Columbia). In some areas, people consider it a noxious weed because it can grow too much and cause problems.
This plant often grows in rice fields, especially in places like New South Wales (Australia) and California (USA). It can be a nuisance there.
In the United Kingdom, Alisma lanceolatum is sometimes found in England and Wales. It's quite rare in Ireland and very rare in Scotland. You can usually find it growing in mud or in fresh water.
What Does It Look Like?
This plant is a perennial herb, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows from a thick stem called a caudex that is in the water or mud. It has long, lance-shaped leaves. These leaves are usually about 12 to 20 centimeters long and 4 centimeters wide. They grow on long stalks called petioles. If the leaves stay underwater, they are smaller and their veins are not as easy to see.
The plant also has a tall flower stalk, called an inflorescence, which can grow up to half a meter (about 20 inches) tall. This stalk holds many small, pink flowers. These flowers open in the morning and bloom from June to August. After the flowers, tiny fruits called achenes form. Each fruit is only about 2 or 3 millimeters long. Many of these tiny fruits grow together in a cluster of about 20 units.
Similar Plants
There is another water plantain called Alisma plantago-aquatica. You can tell it apart from Alisma lanceolatum by its leaves. The leaves of Alisma plantago-aquatica have pointed tips that do not narrow down to a stalk.
See also
In Spanish: Alisma lanceolatum para niños
