Family: Pontederiaceae
Group: Monocot
Substrate:
Terrestrial
Habit:
Herb
Perennation:
Annual
Native Range: Scattered in the United States, Greater Antilles, Mexico, Central America and South America.
Map of select IRC data for peninsular Florida
SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence:
Present
SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status:
Presumed to be Native
SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status:
Not Cultivated
Comments: Although now known in South Florida only from disturbed agricultural fields, in other parts of its range this species grows in mud on the margins of fresh-water ponds (see Adams, 1972); it seems to be an ephemeral annual in South Florida and the Greater Antilles. In the United States, it is most common along the Mississippi drainage. It could easily be an overlooked part of our flora or a recent introduction from other parts of its range.
For more images, click on the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants link below.