e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703148819277_3776435816736783" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Menyanth<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1703148819278_9888855845496989" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>aceae
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

DICOTYLEDON - ASTERIDAE - ASTERALES - Menyanthaceae

Compiled by C.L. Bredenkamp

Description:

  • Perennial or annual herbs, aquatics or wetland plants, often with tufted rootstocks or rhizomes
  • Leaves alternate, basal or subopposite, simple; petioles often long, sheathing at base; blade ovate-oblong to orbicular, stipules 0
  • Inflorescence of simple or branched racemes or cymes, or flowers fascicled at nodes, in pairs or solitary
  • Flowers bisexual, regular, often heterostylous
  • Sepals 5(6), united at base
  • Petals 5, united at base, often fimbriate
  • Stamens 5, united to petals, arising at or below corolla throat; anthers with longitudinal slits
  • Ovary superior, 1-locular with 2 parietal placentas, with 2-many ovules
  • Fruit a capsule
  • Seeds 2-many

Nomenclature:

  • Menyanthaceae
    • Marais & Verdoorn: 241 (1963) under Gentianaceae
    • Aston: 2 (1969)
    • Raynal: 412 (1974)
    • Cook: 128 (1990)
    • Mackinder: 51 (1990)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Genera 5, species 40-50, cosmopolitan
  • Southern Africa: Genera 2, species 6

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
  • MACKINDER, B. 1990. Menyanthaceae. Flora zambesiaca 7,4
  • MARAIS, W. & VERDOORN, I.C. 1963. Gentianaceae. Flora of southern Africa 26
  • RAYNAL, A. 1974. Le genre Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) en Afrique et à Madagascar. 1re Partie: Morphologie. Adansonia 2,14(2)

Resources:

  • Menyanthaceae genera:
Nymphoides Villarsia    

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