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American waterwort
Scientific Name: Elatine americana
Family: Elatinaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names: MA (American waterwort), NY (American waterwort),
American Waterwort (Elatine americana)
American Waterwort, scientifically known as Elatine americana, is a small, annual plant found in freshwater environments. It is also sometimes referred to as "American Water-wort," "three stamen water-wort," "three-stamen water-wort," or "mud purslane."
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Elatine americana (Pursh) Arn.
- Family: Elatinaceae (Waterwort Family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Rank: Species
- Synonyms:
- Elatine triandra var. americana
- Elatine triandra syn E. americana
- E. orientalis
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to North America.
- Found along lake and river shores and tidal reaches.
- Typically grows on muddy substrates.
- Often submerged in shallow water.
- Observed along the Rappahannock River in Richmond County, Virginia, in freshwater tidal marsh.
Morphological Characteristics
- Minute, broad-leaved annual.
- Tufted plants with creeping growth habits.
Ecological Role
- Provides habitat for various species in intertidal zones.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Found in areas alongside other plant species such as the awl-leaf arrowhead and bouquet mud-plantain.
- Can be confused with *Elatine californica*.
Further Information
- Discover Life: Provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Elatine americana.
- Go Botany: Offers information on the identification of *Elatine americana*.
- The Plant List
- ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
- BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
- WikiSpecies