Description: Attached emergent aquatic perennials or annuals.
Leaves radical, alternate, with sheathing base and a petiole-like stalk below an expanded blade.
Inflorescence axillary to a terminal leaf on each stem, racemose or umbel-like, reflexed at the fruiting stage. Flowers more or less actinomorphic. Perianth 6-lobed, fused at the base, blue or white. Stamens 6, attached to base of perianth, equal or unequal. Ovary 3-locular.
Fruit a capsule; seeds numerous, with prominent longitudinal ribs connected by numerous fine, close-set, transverse striations.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 6 species, tropical Africa, Asia & Australia. Australia: 4 species (native), Qld, N.S.W., N.T., W.A.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Monochoria cyanea |
|
