''Tonina fluviatilis'' is a plant species in the

Eriocaulaceae The Eriocaulaceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the order Poales, commonly known as the pipewort family. The family is large, with about 1207 known species described in seven genera. They are widely distributed, with the ce ...

. It is the sole species in the

monotypic In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unispec ...

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

''Tonina'', native to southern

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, northern

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(

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Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

, northern

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, and the

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and

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.Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families.
/ref> One use of the plant is for medicinal purposes. The plant is ground up and mixed with a bark to make a liquid in which to bathe nursing infants. It is thought to give the infant strength. It is also used as an aquarium plant. The shape of its leaf is pleasing and its color makes a good contrast with other plants when it is planted in small groups. However, it is difficult to grow as an aquarium plant.

References

External links

Smithsonian Plant Collections, Guyana
Aquatic plants Eriocaulaceae Flora of South America Flora of the Caribbean Flora of Central America Flora of Mexico Plants described in 1775 Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{Poales-stub