ribbon-leaved water-plantain

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Geyer's water-plantain
• grass-leaved water-plantain
• grass-like water-plantain
• narrow-leaved water-plantain
• Ribbon-Leaved Water-Plantain
• Ribbon-leaved water plantain
• Narrowleaf Water-plantain
• Narrow-leaved Water Plantain
• grass alisma
• ribbonleaf water-plantain
• Geyer waterplantain
• Narrow-Leaf Water-Plantain
• grass-leaved water plantain
• grasslike waterplantain
• lanceleaf water plantain
• narrowleaf water plantain

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alisma plantago-aquatica f. angustissimum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. gramineum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. arcuatum
• Alisma submersum var. arcuatum
• Alisma gramineum subsp. arcuatum
• Alisma geyeri var. angustissimum
• Alisma gramineum f. emersum
• Alisma arcuatum
• Alisma arcuatum var. pumilum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. pumilum
• Alisma gramineum f. aestuosum
• Alisma graminifolium f. angustissimum
• Alisma gramineum f. arcuatum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. arcuatum
• Alisma gramineum var. angustissimum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. micropetalum
• Alisma graminifolium f. pumilum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica f. micropetalum
• Alisma arcuatum var. angustissimum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. arcuatum
• Alisma arcuatum var. lanceolatum
• Alisma geyeri var. giganteum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica proles arcuatum
• Alisma geyeri var. pumilum
• Alisma graminifolium f. terrestre
• Alisma gramineum var. geyeri
• Alisma loeselii
• Alisma gramineum f. arcuatum
• Alisma loeselii
• Alisma geyeri
• Alisma graminifolium
• Alisma plantago-aquatica f. aestuosum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. angustissimum
• Alisma plantago-aquatica var. decumbens
• Alisma validum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Alismatales, it is classified under the family Alismataceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Alisma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in Denmark, Great Britain, and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, its range extends into Middle Europe. Specifically, the species is found within the borders of Austria. Additionally, the plant is also distributed throughout Belgium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alisma gramineum is defined by its preference for specific moisture-rich and chemically varied environments, commonly inhabiting canals, meadows, saline places, and shores. This plant thrives in diverse wetland settings where it can access consistent hydration or tolerate brackish conditions. In terms of altitudinal distribution, the species occupies a specific vertical niche within mountainous or hilly regions, with an elevational range extending from a minimum of 1200 m AMSL to a maximum of 2200 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, meadows, saline places, shores

Life history

The life history of Alistma gramineum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a helophyte, it often thrives in moist or semi-aquatic environments where its growth strategy is adapted to fluctuating water levels. The species exhibits a deciduos nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental changes. Furthermore, its survival strategy is categorized as a cryptophyte, meaning its vital regenerative organs are protected below the soil surface or at the ground level, ensuring its ability to re-emerge and continue its life cycle after periods of dormancy or unfavorable conditions.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alisma gramineum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This species typically exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit rather than functioning as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively low-growing, with a height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.8 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.28 m. It possesses an independent lifestyle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism, and is classified as a terrestrial plant that can also exist in aquatic or semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.28 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alisma gramineum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a metabolic process typical of plants that fix carbon dioxide directly through the Calvin cycle without the specialized adaptations found in C4 or CAM species. As a non-carnivorous organism, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through soil-based uptake and photosynthesis rather than trapping prey. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves with significant morphological variability in dimensions. The leaf length typically maintains a mean of 7.55 cm, though it can range from a minimum of 2.7 cm to a maximum of 12.4 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width exhibits a mean of 1.25 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.6 cm and a maximum of 1.9 cm, which collectively defines its photosynthetic surface area and light interception capabilities.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

12.4 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.55 cm

Leaf length min:

2.7 cm

Leaf width max:

1.9 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.25 cm

Leaf width min:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Alisma gramineum is characterized by biotic pollination and a specialized dispersal strategy. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in August, featuring inflorescences that vary in length from a minimum of 0.06 m to a maximum of 0.56 m. Pollination is driven by a biotic syndrome, specifically involving insects. The plant does not engage in self-fertilization, nor does it utilize asexual reproduction, relying instead on sexual processes to produce its fruit. The fruit is classified as an indehiscent achene, measuring on average 0.25 cm in length (ranging from 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm) and 0.2 cm in width (ranging from 0.15 cm to 0.25 cm). Within these fruits, the seeds are remarkably small, with a mean mass of 0.000413 g and a range between 0.00037 g and 0.00037 g. Following maturation, the plant employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water to spread its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.25 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.15 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.56 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.06 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00037 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000413 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Alisma gramineum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Alisma gramineum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include alisol F.

alisol F

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica