e-Key v3 - Villarsia
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Menyanthaceae - Villarsia Vent.

Description :

  • Semi-aquatic herbs; stems simple or branched
  • Leaves : basal ones long-stalked, entire or irregularly dentate; cauline ones alternate when present, but usually absent or much reduced and distant
  • Flowers in lax or congested cymose, sometimes paniculate inflorescences
  • Calyx deeply 5-lobed
  • Corolla 5-lobed; tube short, white or yellow
  • Stamens arising on corolla tube
  • Ovary 1-locular, with minute, basal glands; placentas thickened
  • Capsule 4-valved, splitting at apex
  • Seeds 2
  • x = 9 (polyploidy)

Nomenclature:

  • Villarsia Vent.
    • Ventenat: t. 9 (1803) in part, name conserved
    • Hill & Prain: 1119 (1909)
    • Marais & Verdoorn: 242 (1963)
    • Aston: 2 (1969)
    • Cook: 128 (1990)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 16, SE Asia, Australia and southern Africa
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Villarsia capensis (Houtt.) Merrill, Western Cape, in marshes

References:

  • ASTON, H.I. 1969. The genus Villarsia ( Menyanthaceae ) in Australia. Muelleria 2,1
  • COOK, C.D.K. 1990. Aquatic plant book . SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague
  • HILL, A.W. & PRAIN, D. 1909. Gentianeae . Flora capensis 4, 1
  • MARAIS, W. & VERDOORN, I.C. 1963. Gentianaceae . Flora of southern Africa 26
  • VENTENAT, E.P. 1803. Choix de plantes . Crapelet, Paris