SafePlants

Philydrum lanuginosum: The Frogsmouth

Philydrum lanuginosum, commonly known as Frogsmouth or Woolly Waterlily (also Woolly Frogmouth), is an emergent aquatic perennial herb recognized for its unique flower, which bears a resemblance to an open frog's mouth. It is the sole accepted species within the genus Philydrum.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant can grow up to 2 meters tall.
• The seeds are teeny tiny.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Philydrum lanuginosum Banks & Sol. ex Gaertn.
• Family: Philydraceae
• Genus: Philydrum
• Rank: Species
• Synonyms: The Plant List includes 5 scientific plant names of species rank for the genus Philydrum.

Distribution and Habitat

• Philydrum lanuginosum is native to Western Australia and is widely distributed throughout Australia.
• It commonly grows along natural waterways and in swampy areas.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is a tufted, herbaceous, aquatic macrophyte, growing up to 2 meters or more in height.
• It often exhibits a caespitose (tufted) growth habit and has short rhizomes.
• The leaves are strap-like, reaching up to 60 cm long and 2 cm wide.
• Philydrum cavaleriei, another species (though not the focus species), has basal leaves that are 12-25, 30-80 cm including sheath 1-1.5 cm 2-3.5 mm leaf blade soft, veins 7-9, apex tapering.

Quirky Facts

• The name "Frogsmouth" comes from the flower's distinctive resemblance to the mouth of a frog.

Additional Information

• The species is not considered rare, threatened, or alien in Western Australia.
• The genus name Philydrum comes from the Greek words "philos" (loving) and "hydor" (water).

Further Resources

• Australian Plant Census
• The Plant List
• IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
• Australian Plant Name Index
• Index Nominum Genericorum (ING)
• Flora of Australia Online
• Discover Life
• Metabolomics.JP