dwarf arrowhead

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dwarf arrowhead
• pygmy arrowhead

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Blyxa coreana
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. oligocarpa
• Sagittaria altigena
• Sagittaria sagittifolia var. pygmaea
• Hydrolirion coreanum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Alismatalees. Finally, it is a member of the family Alismataceae and the genus Sagittaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in East Asia. In China, its presence is widespread, spanning from the North-Central provinces to the South-Central territories. It is also commonly found throughout the Southeast regions of China and on the island of Hainan. Beyond mainland China, the species extends its distribution into Eastern Asia, specifically inhabiting Japan. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in different ecological zones across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sagittaria pygmaea is characterized by its specific biological classifications and growth patterns. This species functions as an annual in its developmental cycle, completing its life processes within a single year. Regarding its structural growth and environmental adaptation, the plant exhibits a dual classification of life forms; it is categorized as a helophyte, reflecting its ability to grow in wetland environments where it bridges the gap between aquatic and terrestrial states, while it also displays the traits of a therophyte, indicating its reliance on seasonal growth cycles that conclude with the production of seeds or dormant stages to survive unfavorable conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Sagittaria pygmaea is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically functioning as a forb. As an aquatic species, it thrives in water-saturated environments, maintaining an independent life cycle without relying on host plants. The plant is entirely self-supporting, lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, and functions as a terrestrial-based aquatic organism rather than an epiphyte. Its structure is entirely non-woody, consistent with its herbaceous nature.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiological development of the foliage in Sagittaria pygmaea is characterized by significant morphological variability in leaf dimensions, which plays a critical role in its photosynthetic capacity and surface area adaptation. The leaf length exhibits a broad spectrum of growth, ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 30 cm, with an average leaf length maintained at approximately 16 cm. This variation in longitudinal growth is complemented by a distinct range in leaf width, which spans from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. These specific dimensions indicate a highly plastic growth pattern, allowing the plant to optimize its structural integrity and light interception capabilities within its ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

30 cm

Leaf length mean:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sagittaria pygmaea is characterized by its specific inflorescence and fruit development metrics. The plant produces an inflorescence that varies in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.1 m. Following pollination, the development of the fruit displays specific morphological dimensions; the fruit length typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.5 cm, with an average length of 0.4 cm. Concurrently, the fruit width shows a range between 0.25 cm and 0.35 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.3 cm.

Fruit length max:

0.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit width max:

0.35 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.3 cm

Fruit width min:

0.25 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Sagittaria pygmaea has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Antibacterial

1. Planta medica

Preparations