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Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle
| Family Name: | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Synonyms: | Elodea verticillata (L.f.) F.Muell., Hydrilla angustifolia Hassk. |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Submerged) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Cosmopolitian |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A submerged aquatic perennial with heavily branched stems that float towards the water surface and form dense mats. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are lanceolate with an acute apex and serrated edges. The leaves grow in whorls with leaf colour being a translucent to opaque green. The leaves are regularly space along the stem but are compacted towards the stem apex. |
| Stems | The stems are slender and can grow up to 9m long. Profuse branching is seen when the plant is closer to the water surface. Sometimes, segments of the stems break off and float to the water surface where they survive and join together to form dense mats. |
| Flowers | The dioecious flowers are inconspicuous, small and white and are located in the leaf axils. The male flowers are released from the plant, allowing it to float up to the water surface before it opens explosively to release the pollen dispersed by wind. The female flowers too float up to the water surface but are attached to the plant via a long thread-like hypanthium. |
| Cultivation | It is able to grow in waters of varying nutrient levels and can grow in brackish water. It grows in water with pH levels of 6.0 to 8.0 and water temperatures of 15 to 28°C. A plant that is easy to grow. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Pond / Lake / River, Aquarium / Aquascape |
| Thematic Landscaping | Water Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site), Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting (Herbaceous) |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Whorled |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31337 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5734 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |