''Heteranthera'' is a genus of

aquatic plant Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater). They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that ...

s in the

water hyacinth ''Pontederia crassipes'' (formerly ''Eichhornia crassipes''), commonly known as common water hyacinth is an aquatic plant native to South America, naturalized throughout the world, and often invasive outside its native range.Pontederiaceae Pontederiaceae is a family of flowering plants. The APG IV system of 2016 (unchanged from the APG III system of 2009, the APG II system of 2003 and the APG system of 1998) places the family in the order Commelinales, in the commelinid clade, in ...

, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical

America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

and

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

. They live in the water or in wet soils. They produce leaves on long petioles and some are cultivated for their attractive flowers. Leaves are of two types - linear and submerged or orbicular and floating. Some species have cleistogamic flowers.

Selected species

*''

Heteranthera callifolia ''Heteranthera'' is a genus of aquatic plants in the water hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical Americas, America and Africa. They live in the water or in ...

'' (syn. ''H. callaefolia'') *''

Heteranthera dubia ''Heteranthera dubia'', commonly called water stargrass or grassleaf mudplantain, is a species of aquatic plant in the pickerel-weed family (Pontederiaceae). It is native to North and Central America where it is widespread from Canada to Guatemal ...

'' (

Jacq. Nikolaus Joseph Freiherr von Jacquin (16 February 172726 October 1817) was a scientist who studied medicine, chemistry and botany. Biography Born in Leiden in the Netherlands, he studied medicine at Leiden University, then moved first to Par ...

) MacMill. – Grassleaf mud plantain, water stargrass *''

Heteranthera limosa ''Heteranthera limosa'' is an annual flowering plant in the Pontederiaceae, water hyacinth family known by the common names ducksalad and blue mudplantain. It grows in shallow water or on mud. It is considered a threatened species in parts of th ...

'' (

Sw. Olof Peter Swartz (21 September 1760 – 19 September 1818) was a Swedish botanist and taxonomist. He is best known for his taxonomic work and studies into pteridophytes. Biography Olof Swartz attended the University of Uppsala where he st ...

)

Willd. Carl Ludwig Willdenow (22 August 1765 – 10 July 1812) was a German botanist, pharmacist, and plant taxonomist. He is considered one of the founders of phytogeography, the study of the geographic distribution of plants. Willdenow was also ...

– Blue mud plantain, ducksalad *''

Heteranthera mexicana ''Heteranthera'' is a genus of aquatic plants in the water hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical Americas, America and Africa. They live in the water or in ...

'' S.Watson – Mexican mud plantain *''

Heteranthera multiflora ''Heteranthera'' is a genus of aquatic plants in the water hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical Americas, America and Africa. They live in the water or in ...

'' (Griseb.) Horn – Bouquet mud plantain *''

Heteranthera peduncularis ''Heteranthera'' is a genus of aquatic plants in the water hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical Americas, America and Africa. They live in the water or in ...

'' Benth. – Egret mud plantain *''

Heteranthera reniformis ''Heteranthera reniformis'' common name kidneyleaf mud-plantain, and mud plantain; is a plant found in North America. It is listed as a special concern and believed extirpated in Connecticut. It listed as endangered in Illinois and Ohio. Native ...

'' Ruiz & Pav. – Kidneyleaf mud plantain *''

Heteranthera rotundifolia ''Heteranthera'' is a genus of aquatic plants in the water hyacinth family, Pontederiaceae, known generally as mud plantains. Species of this genus are native to tropical and subtropical Americas, America and Africa. They live in the water or in ...

'' (Kunth) Griseb. – Roundleaf mud plantain *''Heteranthera zosterifolia'' – Stargrass

References

External links

Jepson Manual Treatment
Pontederiaceae Commelinales genera {{Commelinales-stub