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hydrocleys
Scientific Name: Hydrocleys
Family: Limnocharitaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Hydrocleys nymphoides - Water Poppy
Hydrocleys nymphoides, commonly known as water poppy, is a charming aquatic plant prized for its delicate yellow flowers and lily-pad-like foliage. It is often used as an ornamental plant in ponds and water gardens.
Considerations for Pets
- The plant floats on the water's surface.
- It has leaves that are "lily-pad-like."
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Hydrocleys nymphoides (Willd.) Buchenau
- Common Names: Water Poppy, Waterpoppy
- Family: Alismataceae (formerly placed in Limnocharitaceae)
- Genus: Hydrocleys
- Synonyms: Hydrocleys nymphoides (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Buchenau
- Taxonomic Serial Number: 503099
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Western Hemisphere, particularly South America and Central America.
- Naturalized in some other regions and sold as an ornamental.
- In the St. Louis area, can be grown in greenhouses or outdoors during the growing season with indoor overwintering.
Morphological Characteristics
- Aquatic perennial with heart-shaped leaves.
- Leaves are thick, broad, and rounded at the base.
- Yellow, poppy-like blooms (1-2 inches) float on the surface.
- Dark green "lily-pad-like" pads (1-2 inches).
- Stems are prostrate and root at the nodes.
- Leaves have long petioles, usually floating, glabrous above, sparsely hairy beneath, broadly ovate base.
Ecological Role
- Considered a potential weed in Australia, although not currently a documented problem.
Genetic Information
- A new karyotype, with 2n = 14 chromosomes, has been described in Hydrocleys.
- Hydrocleys nymphoides maturase K.
- Hydrocleys nymphoides voucher Les s.n. (CONN) tRNA-Lys (trnK) gene, partial sequence and maturase K (matK) gene, complete cds chloroplast 2,427 bp
Cultivation
- Grows well in full sun to partial shade.
- Hardy in USDA Zones 7-11.
- Prefers shallow water but can survive in water up to 12-15 inches deep.
Quirky Facts
- The genus name, Hydrocleys, is derived from the Greek words "hydro" (water) and "clavis" (club-shaped), presumably referencing the plant's morphology.
- A cultivar called 'Venezuelan' is known for having larger leaves and flowers.
Further Information
- USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database.
- NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic.