Limnophila sessiliflora
Limnophila sessiliflora | |
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Conservation status | |
![]() Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Plantaginaceae |
Genus: | Limnophila |
Species: | L. sessiliflora |
Binomial name | |
Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Limnophila_sessiliflora_%28Asian_Ambulia%29_in_Hyderabad%2C_AP_W_IMG_1415.jpg/250px-Limnophila_sessiliflora_%28Asian_Ambulia%29_in_Hyderabad%2C_AP_W_IMG_1415.jpg)
Limnophila sessiliflora, known as dwarf ambulia, ambulis, and Asian marshweed is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae, mostly found in southeast Asia.
Distribution and habitat
L. sessiliflora is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Hong Kong, India (Assam, Sikkim), Indonesia (Java), Japan (Ryukyu Islands), North Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.[1][2][3] It inhabits a wide range of natural and man-made freshwater wetland habitats including ponds, rice fields, and swamps. It occurs in both permanent and seasonal waters at altitudes up to 1,900 m (6,200 ft).[1][4]
This species has become invasive in the United States, occurring in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Texas.[3] It likely became established in the U.S. after escaping cultivation in Florida, where it was first recorded growing in Hillsborough County in 1961.[5]
Description
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Limnophila_sessiliflora_%28Asian_Ambulia%29_in_Hyderabad%2C_AP_W_IMG_1429.jpg/250px-Limnophila_sessiliflora_%28Asian_Ambulia%29_in_Hyderabad%2C_AP_W_IMG_1429.jpg)
This species appears superficially similar to Cabomba caroliniana, yet it has leaves formed in whorls, about 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Any confusion is likely due to the leaves being pinnate and bright green in colour. Under strong artificial light or sunlight, the leaves take on a reddish, ‘stresses’ hue, as do many plant species. When the plant has received enough light for the day, the whorls of leaves will often close, and the entire plant will "sleep".[6] This plant can, eventually, reach over 16 inches (40 cm) in height, often growing emergent (out of the water's surface), where sunlight and carbon dioxide is far more available to the plant. The submersed leaves are very different from the emersed leaves, due to lower light penetration through the water, often more dark green, and more or less ‘Lance’-shaped.
The fruit are elliptical capsules, 3.5–5.5 mm long, green-brown when submersed, dark brown when emersed.
Ecology
L. sessiliflora is an aquatic perennial herb. It is capable of growing fully submerged or emergent, with the leaves taking on distinct submerged and emerged forms.[5] It is a fast growing species that may reproduce by seed or by stem fragmentation.[3]
Cultivation
Quite commonly used as a bunch plant in aquariums. Needs medium light (more light results in better growth and appearance) and a nutrient-rich water column. Benefits from the addition of CO2. Like many stem plants, it tends to take on a leggy growth in poor light.
Propagated by cuttings.
Growth conditions: Ph 6–7.5 3–25 dGH 3–25 dKH Temperature 22 – 28'C
A nutrient-rich substrate also benefits the plant.
References
- ^ a b c Lansdown, R.V. (2011). "Limnophila sessiliflora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T168617A6523542. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T168617A6523542.en. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b c National Biological Information Infrastructure & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (25 August 2006). "Species profile: Limnophila sessiliflora". Global Invasive Species Database. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ Deyuan, Hong; Hanbi, Yang; Cunli, Jin; Holmgren, Noel H. (1998). Wu, Zheng-yi; Raven, Peter H. (eds.). Flora of China: Scrophulariaceae through Gesneriaceae. Flora of China. Vol. 18. Science Press and Missouri Botanical Garden Press. p. 26. ISBN 0-915279-55-X. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ a b "Limnophila sessiliflora". Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "African Clawed Frogs – FAQ – Page 69 – Pet Fish". Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- Biswas D, Calder CC. 1955. Handbook of Common Water and Marsh Plants of India and Buram. Health Bull. 24, Delhi, 47 pp.
- Dutta NM. 1975. A Revision of the genus Limnophila of eastern India. Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal. 29:1–7
- Gilbert KM. 1984. A review of the aquatic plants Limnophila heterophylla and Limnophila sessiliflora. Bureau of Aquatic Plant Research and Control Dept. of Natural Resources. 12 pp.
- Mahler MJ. 1980. Limnophila, a new exotic pest. Aquatics 2:4–7
- Philcox D. 1970. A taxonomic revision of the genus Limnophila R. Br. (scrophulariaceae). Kew Bull. 24(1):101–170
- Rataj K, Horeman TJ. 1977. Aquarium Plants. T.F. H. Publications: Neptune City.
- Sculthorpe CD. 1967. The Biology of Aquatic Vascular Plants. Edward Arnold Publ. Ltd.: London. 610 pp.
- Spencer W, Bowes G. 1985. Limnophila and Hygrophila: a review and physiological assessment of their weed potential in Florida. J. Aq. Pl. Manag. 23:7–16
- Yamazaki T. 1985. A revision of the genera Limnophila and Torenia from Indochina. Journ. Fac. Sci. Univ. Todyo. III 13: 575–624
- Yang YP, Yen SH. 1997. Notes on Limnophila (scrophulariaceae) of Taiwan. Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica. pp. 285–294
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- Tropica
- Univ of Florida
- Univ of Florida Archived 14 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine