Limnophila sessiliflora

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Limnophila sessiliflora
Limnophila sessiliflora.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Limnophila
Species:
L. sessiliflora
Binomial name
Limnophila sessiliflora
Synonyms [2]
  • Hottonia sessilifloraVahl
  • Benjaminia glabra Benj.
  • Stemodia sessiliflora(Vahl) F.Muell.
  • Limnophila griffithii Hook.f.
  • Ambulia sessiliflora(Vahl) Baill. ex Wettst.
  • Terebinthina sessiliflora(Vahl) Kuntze
  • Stemodiacra sessiliflora(Vahl) Hiern
  • Limnophila taoyuanensisY.P.Yang & S.H.Yen
in Hyderabad, India. Limnophila sessiliflora (Asian Ambulia) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 1415.jpg
in Hyderabad, India.

Limnophila sessiliflora, known as dwarf ambulia, ambulis, and Asian marshweed is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, mostly found in southeast Asia.

Contents

Distribution and habitat

L. sessiliflora is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Hong Kong, India (Assam, Sikkim), Indonesia (Java), Japan (Ryukyu Islands), North Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. [1] [2] [3] It inhabits a wide range of natural and man-made freshwater wetland habitats including ponds, rice fields, and swamps. It occurs in both permanent and seasonal waters at altitudes up to 1,900 m (6,200 ft). [1] [4]

This species has become invasive in the United States, occurring in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Texas. [3] It likely became established in the U.S. after escaping cultivation in Florida, where it was first recorded growing in Hillsborough County in 1961. [5]

Description

in Hyderabad, India. Limnophila sessiliflora (Asian Ambulia) in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 1429.jpg
in Hyderabad, India.

This species appears superficially similar to Cabomba caroliniana , yet it has leaves formed in whorls, about 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Any confusion is likely due to the leaves being pinnate and bright green in colour. Under strong artificial light or sunlight, the leaves take on a reddish, 'stresses' hue, as do many plant species. When the plant has received enough light for the day, the whorls of leaves will often close, and the entire plant will "sleep". [6] This plant can, eventually, reach over 16 inches (40 cm) in height, often growing emergent (out of the water's surface), where sunlight and carbon dioxide are more available. The submersed leaves are very different from the emersed leaves, due to lower light penetration through the water, often more dark green, and more or less 'Lance'-shaped.

The fruit are elliptical capsules, 3.5–5.5 mm long, green-brown when submersed, dark brown when emersed. [7]

Ecology

L. sessiliflora is an aquatic perennial herb. It is capable of growing fully submerged or emergent, with the leaves taking on distinct submerged and emerged forms. [5] It is a fast growing species that may reproduce by seed or by stem fragmentation. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lansdown, R.V. (2011). "Limnophila sessiliflora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T168617A6523542. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T168617A6523542.en . Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 National Biological Information Infrastructure & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (25 August 2006). "Species profile: Limnophila sessiliflora". Global Invasive Species Database . Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  4. Deyuan, Hong; Hanbi, Yang; Cunli, Jin; Holmgren, Noel H. (1998). Wu, Zheng-yi; Raven, Peter H. (eds.). Flora of China: Scrophulariaceae through Gesneriaceae. Flora of China. Vol. 18. Science Press and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. p. 26. ISBN   0-915279-55-X. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Limnophila sessiliflora". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  6. "African Clawed Frogs – FAQ – Page 69 – Pet Fish". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  7. "Limnophila sessiliflora". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants University of Florida. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2025.

Further reading