Lesser Water-plantain
Lesser Water-plantain in pond, Powerstock Common
Flower and fruits
Lilac coloured petals
5 stamens and many central styles
Whorl of fruits
Close-up of fruiting bodies
Leaves
Baldellia ranunculoides
Alismataceae
May to September
iIt is thinly scattered throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Lesser Water-plantain
It is found at the edge of still, shallow freshwaters, where
fluctuating water levels restrict the growth of competitors.
It is decreasing due to loss of habitats.
Lesser Water-plantain is a native, perennial, creeping and
rooting, aquatic herb, growing up to 20cm.
Flowers are up to 16mm across, with 3 pale lilac to white
petals, each with a yellow mark at the base.
They are bigger than in Water Plantain (June).
They resemble 3-petalled buttercups.
The fruits are nutlets in a globular head, again like
buttercups.
Leaves are strap like when underwater and narrowly
lanceolate when aerial.
The stems are round and quite stout.
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Lesser Water-plantain in pond, Powerstock Common
Flower and fruits
Lilac coloured petals
5 stamens and many central styles
Whorl of fruits
Close-up of fruiting bodies
Leaves
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