BONAP indicates, for the family Alismataceae, 6 genera in the U.S. (Alisma, Baldellia, Damasonium, Echinodorus, Helanthium, Sagittaria); three of these occur in Iowa (Alisma, Echinodorus, and Sagittaria).
These 3 genera have in common: wet habitat (marshes and lake shores), green sepals that remain during fruiting, white (occasionally reddish) petals that fall soon after flowering, carpels are distinct—one loculared usually with a single ovum and becoming achenes in fruit.
Distribution of Alisma
- Abbreviations:
- USDA—United States Department of Agriculture,
- BONAP—The Biota of North America Program,
- VPI—The Vascular Plants of Iowa.
- FNA—Flora of North America
USDA Plant site: U.S. 5 species; Iowa 3 species.
BONAP site: U.S. 6 species; Iowa 3 species.
VPI site: Iowa 2 species.
Alisma charactistics
See FNA site:
The Alisma species you are most likely to encounter in Iowa are:
Alisma gramineum (Ribbon-leaved Water-plantain) rare in Iowa and red listed (Threatened Species).
Alisma subcordatum (American water plantain)
[syn. Alisma plantago-aquatica]
Alisma triviale (Northern water plantain)