Alisma plantago-aquaticaL. - European water-plantain
Scientific Description:
Plant 15−100(−150) cm. Leaves usually aerial; petiole mostly 7−15 cm, in water to 50 cm; lamina to 22 × 13 cm, usually 6−9 × 3−5 cm, ovate or elliptic to broadly lanceolate (length: breadth ratio 1.5−3.5:1), ± acute at apex, subcordate to obtuse or attenuate at base. Floating leaves ± broadly lanceolate to ovate, broadly attenuate at base. Sepals 2−3 mm. Petals white or pink, 3.5−6.5 mm, ± obtuse. Anthers elliptic, c. 1 mm. Styles 0.5−1.5 mm, filiform, ± straight, stigmatose in upper 1/8−1/5. Achenes 2−3 mm, elliptic, with thick opaque lateral pericarp.
Flowering time: June−September.
Habitat: Shores of lakes and rivers, ditches, marshes, in wet soil or shallow water, s.l.−2300 m.
Reference:
Uotila P (1984). Alisma plantago-aquatica L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 8: 7.
Public Description:
Alisma plantago-aquatica, known as “European water-plantain”, “common water-plantain” or “mad-dog weed”, is a perennial aquatic flowering plant and native to Europe and Asia. It has white, pale pink or lilac flowers that open in late afternoon and close again at dusk. Remaining viable in water for many years. The rhizome is used as a diuretic, but prolonged use may cause inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The starch-rich rootstock is also eaten in some countries.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2015). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alisma_plantago-aquatica, Accessed date: 19.12.2015.
Anonymous 2 (2015). http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/alisma-plantago-aquatica-common-water-plantain, Accessed date: 19.12.2015.
Anonymous 3 (2015). http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Alisma+plantago-aquatica, Accessed date: 19.12.2015.
Ekim T (2012). Alisma L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 20.