Hydrostachys polymorpha Klotzsch ex A. Braun

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Photo: Mike Bingham
Mporokoso District, Kalungwishi River, Kabweluma Falls

Photo: Mike Kennedy
Mulembo (FEOW: Bangweulu-Mweru)

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Synonyms:	Hydrostachys cristulata Wedd. Hydrostachys multipinnata Engl. Hydrostachys natalensis Wedd.
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Description:	Aquatic perennial herb. Leaves more or less submerged, tufted, fern-like, up to 70 cm long, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate in outline, 2-3-pinnate; primary pinnae in 25-70 pairs, each densely divided again into small scale-like, simple or filiform-branched pinnules; petiole and rhachis flattened, covered with numerous small, ovate, scale-like appendages. Inflorescences erect, emergent spikes up to 30 cm long, unisexual, browinish. Flowers minute. Fruit ellipic, hairless, up to c. 2.5 × 1 mm.
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Derivation of specific name:	polymorpha: of many forms
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Worldwide distribution:	Angola, Namibia, DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
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Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 32. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 76. Hauman, L. (1948). Hydrostachyaceae Flore du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi Volume I Page 29. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 54. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 67. Stannard, B.L. (1997). Hydrostachyaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(2) Pages 12 - 14. (Includes a picture).

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Flora of Malawi: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Flora of Mozambique: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Flora of Zambia: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hydrostachys polymorpha

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hydrostachys polymorpha
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hydrostachys polymorpha
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hydrostachys polymorpha
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hydrostachys polymorpha
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Hydrostachys polymorpha
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hydrostachys polymorpha
JSTOR Plant Science: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Plants of the World Online: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Tropicos: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Wikipedia: Hydrostachys polymorpha