Ranalisma Stapf

Martins, E.S. & Catarino, L. (2009) Alismataceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2)

Symoens, J.J., Billiet, F. (1975) Alismataceae Flore d' Afrique Centrale Jardin Botanique National de Belgique

Description of the genus

Perennial stoloniferous glabrous, marsh herbs. Leaves erect, or spreading; leaf-blade ovate to linear-lanceolate; base cordate to cuneate. Inflorescence pseudo-umbellate, 1–3-flowered with 2 membranous bracts; flowers sometimes replaced by vegetative buds—the peduncle bends over stolon-like and the buds develop into new plants. Sepals 3, reflexed in the fruiting stage. Petals 3, larger than the sepals, white. Stamens (6–)9(–12); filaments filiform. Carpels ∞, free on a convex receptacle; styles terminal, hooked; ovules solitary, basal. Fruit a globose head of achenes spirally arranged on the elongated receptacle; achenes strongly compressed laterally, glandular, winged, with a terminal beak formed by the remains of the style.

Worldwide: Two species; one in tropical Africa and one in south east Asia and Malay peninsula.

DRC: 1 taxon.

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SpeciesBotanical divisionsContent
humile (Kunth) Hutch. III,IV,VIDescription

Other sources of information about Ranalisma:

Our websites:

Flora of Zambia: Ranalisma

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Ranalisma
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Ranalisma
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Ranalisma
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Ranalisma
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Ranalisma
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Ranalisma
JSTOR Plant Science: Ranalisma
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Ranalisma
Plants of the World Online: Ranalisma
Tropicos: Ranalisma
Wikipedia: Ranalisma

Copyright: The DRC flora team, 2024-26

The DRC flora team (2026). Flora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Genus page: Ranalisma.
https://www.drcongoflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=1903, retrieved 5 May 2026

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