Ruppia megacarpa R.Mason APNI* 
Description: Surface-flowering submerged aquatic perennial with slender rhizomes; stems to 2 m long (mostly 20–30 cm), usually flexuous; turions absent.
Leaves 5–25 cm long, 0.5–1 mm wide, apex notched or truncate; sheath loose, with 2 small and variable lateral auricles.
Inflorescence on a peduncle to 1 m or more long, coiling more or less tightly after pollination. Flowers with 2–6 (usually 4) free carpels. Carpels initially subsessile, stipe lengthening to 5–6 cm long as carpel matures.
Fruit asymmetric, 3–4 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, brown, eventually turning black; endocarp with a beak 1–2 mm long and a rounded triangular perforation on each side.
Flowering: during warmer months.
Distribution and occurrence: Grows in brackish to hypersaline coastal lagoons, estuaries and inland lakes.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, ST, SWP
Other Australian states: Vic. W.A. S.A.
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & S. Papassotiriou
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 4 (1993)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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