Hydrostachys polymorpha Klotzsch ex A. Braun

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Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: David Gwynne-Evans
Mt Mabu, Zambezia.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: Bart Wursten
Nhamadzi River at first crossing on trail to Mt Binga, lower Chimanimani Conservation Area.

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Picture: Bart Wursten
Vunduzi River below Bunga Ranger Camp, northwestern Gorongosa National Park

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Nchila Wildlife Reserve
Oct 1997
Photo: Mike Bingham

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Nchila Wildlife Reserve
Oct 1997
Photo: Mike Bingham

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Mulemba River at Mambelina
Jun 2010
Photo: M.P.Kennedy

Hydrostachys polymorpha

Mulemba River at Mambelina
Jun 2010
Photo: M.P.Kennedy

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Hydrostachys cristulata Wedd.
Hydrostachys multipinnata Engl.
Hydrostachys natalensis Wedd.
Common names:
Frequency: Locally common
Status: Native
Description:
Aquatic perennial herb. Leaves more or less submerged, tufted, fern-like, up to 70 cm long, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate in outline, 2-3-pinnate; primary pinnae in 25-70 pairs, each densely divided again into small scale-like, simple or filiform-branched pinnules; petiole and rhachis flattened, covered with numerous small, ovate, scale-like appendages. Inflorescences erect, emergent spikes up to 30 cm long, unisexual, browinish. Flowers minute. Fruit ellipic, hairless, up to c. 2.5 × 1 mm.
Type location:
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: polymorpha: of many forms
Habitat: Attached to rocks in rapids and waterfalls in fast-flowing mountain streams, often forming extensive colonies.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Angola, Namibia, DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): N,W,E
Zambian distribution (Provinces): Nw,N,E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated: Tuesday 9 May 2017
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 32.

Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 76.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 54.

Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 67.

Stannard, B.L. (1997). Hydrostachyaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(2) Pages 12 - 14. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Hydrostachys polymorpha:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Flora of Mozambique: Hydrostachys polymorpha
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hydrostachys polymorpha

External websites:

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


Copyright: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-24

Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A. (2024). Flora of Zambia: Species information: Hydrostachys polymorpha.
https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=124820, retrieved 28 March 2024

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