Class
Classification
Subordinate Taxa
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Ruppiaceae Horan.
Description
Infl. a bractless spike, at first wrapped in sheaths of subtending lvs; peduncle unbranched and later elongating; fls 2, contiguous, borne laterally on opp. sides near tip of peduncle, one above the other. Fls small, greenish, bisexual. Per. 0. Stamens 2, almost sessile, each of 2 ± reniform, horizontally disposed, extrorsely dehiscing cells, separated by a broad connective. Carpels (2)–4–8–(16), superior, at first sessile and crowded together, later becoming stipitate and separated by elongation of "podogynes"; stigma appearing sessile, peltate or umbonate; ovule solitary, pend., campylotropous. Achenes or drupelets ± beaked, outer pericarp soon decaying, endocarp hard, splitting by separation of vertically oriented operculum. Aquatic herbs, us. submerged in brackish water; rhizome branched, rooting at nodes, giving off lfy stems. Lvs alt., sessile, simple, filiform-linear, 1-nerved, with long, open, stipular sheath.
[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2.]
Biostatus
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Indigenous (Non-endemic) | 2 |
| Total | 2 |
Bibliography
Cronquist, A. 1988: The evolution and classification of flowering plants. The New York Botanic Gardens, New York.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.
