3-47 Hippuridaceae, mare's-tail family

Marian C. Munro; Ruth E. Newell; Nicholas M. Hill

Authors

Marian C. Munro Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS
Ruth E. Newell E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nicholas M. Hill Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Keywords:

Magnoliophyte, dicots, mare's-tail family, Hippuris, mare's-tail

Abstract

A monogeneric family, it has three North American species, one in Nova Scotia. It is an aquatic emergent. Bearing filiform leaves in whorls of 6–12, it is distinctive in shallow silty waters. The plants bear minute glandular pubescence scattered along the stems. Flowers are axillary and solitary, carried near the top of the plant. Wind-pollinated, some are perfect and some are unisexual. Calyx is reduced to a ridge around the ovary and the corolla is absent. The single style is stigmatic most of its length. Fruits are achenes. Sean Blaney provided the photograph.

Author Biographies

Marian C. Munro, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax, NS

Curator of Botany (NSPM)

Ruth E. Newell, E. C. Smith Herbarium, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Curator of the E. C. Smith Herbarium (ACAD)

Nicholas M. Hill, Fernhill Institute, Kentville, Nova Scotia; Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia and Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Director; Adjunct Professor