Elatinaceae

This family contains exactly one genus, Elatine.

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  E. minima

  1a. Placentation basal-axile, therefore, the ovules/seeds all set at approximately the same level in the ovary/fruit; seeds marked with transversely elliptic, round-ended areoles, the ends of the areoles more or less meeting the other ends (i.e., not dovetailed with them), therefore, the longitudinal ridges of the seed appearing straight and distinct [Fig. 607]; leaf blades 0.7–5 mm long; perianth 2-merous; flowers with 2 stamens
• See list of 2 species in 1b
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  1b. Placentation axile, therefore, the ovules/seeds set at different levels in the ovary/fruit; seeds marked with transversely elongate, 6-sided, angular-ended areoles, the ends of the areoles alternating and dovetailed with areole ends from the adjacent rows, therefore, the longitudinal ridges of the seed broken and less conspicuous [Fig. 606]; leaf blades 2.8–8 (–15) mm long; perianth (2–) 3-merous; flowers with (2–) 3 stamens
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    E. americana

    2a. Leaf blades obovate to broad-spatulate, usually rounded at the apex, the larger 1.5–5 mm wide; seeds borne from the lower half of the ovary’s central axis, ascending
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    E. triandra

    2b. Leaf blades linear to lanceolate or narrow-spatulate, truncate or retuse at the apex, 0.5–3 mm wide; seeds borne throughout the length of the ovary’s central axis, divergent

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 Show photos of:   Each photo represents one species in this genus.