Family: Plantaginaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Cent. Pl. I: 31 (1755)
Year: 1755
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Callitriche
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Northern water-starwort, scientifically known as Callitriche hermaphroditica, is an aquatic plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. This botanical species is notably found across the Subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, signifying its adaptability to cooler climates.
First identified and documented in the mid-18th century, this plant has since intrigued botanists for its distinctive characteristics and its adaptation to aquatic environments. True to its name, “hermaphroditica” suggests the plant’s hermaphroditic nature, possessing both male and female reproductive structures. This unique feature allows it to self-pollinate under favorable conditions, ensuring its survival and proliferation in the diverse nuances of its habitat.
Occupying clear, unpolluted freshwater streams, ponds, and lakes, Northern water-starwort plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of these ecosystems. Its presence contributes to water oxygenation and provides a habitat for aquatic fauna, which, in turn, supports the biodiversity of the region.
Visually, Callitriche hermaphroditica is characterized by its delicate, thread-like stems and small, star-shaped leaves that distinguish it from other aquatic plants. This star-like formation of the leaves, from which it derives its common name, Northern water-starwort, endows it with a distinctive appearance that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
In summary, Northern water-starwort is more than just an aquatic plant; it is a vital component of the subarctic and temperate freshwater ecosystems it inhabits. It showcases nature’s ingenuity in surviving and thriving in specific climatic conditions, fulfilling its role in environmental sustenance and biodiversity.
Common Names
Eng: autumn water-starwort, autumn waterstarwort, autumnal water-starwort, northern water-starwort, northern waterstarwort, scarlet waterstarwort, annual water-starwort, hermaphroditic water-starwort, scarlet water-starwort, submerged water-starwort
Deu: herbst-wasserstern, herbstwasserstern
Dan: høst-vandstjerne
Nld: rond sterrenkroos
Lav: rudens udenite
Fra: callitriche hermaphrodite
Swe: höstlånke, höstlonke
Sme: čakčaloaŋka
Cym: brigwlydd, brigwlydd cynaeafol, brigwlydd y cynhaeaf
En: Northern water-starwort, Autumnal Water-starwort, Narrow-leaf water starwort, Autumn Water-Starwort, NORTHERN WATERSTARWORT, Autumn water starwort, Scarlet waterstarwort, Secret waterstarwort, Autumn waterstarwort, Annual Water-Starwort, Hermaphroditic water-starwort, Scarlet water-starwort, Submerged water-starwort
Hy: Վարսագեղ հերմաֆրոդիտ
Be: Балотнік двухполы
Zh: 线叶水马齿
Hr: Jesenska žabovlatka
Cs: Hvězdoš podzimní
Da: Høstvandstjerne, Høst-vandstjerne
Nl: Rond sterrenkroos
Et: Sügis-vesitäht
Fi: Uposvesitähti
Fr: Callitriche hermaphrodite
De: Büngel, Herbst-Wasserstern (Herbstwasserstern), Herbst-Wasserstern, Herbstwasserstern
Lv: Rudens udenite
Se: Čakčaloaŋka
Pl: Rzęśl jesienna
Ru: Болотник обоеполый
Sv: Höstlånke, Höstlonke
Uk: Виринниця двостатева
Cy: Brigwlydd y cynhaeaf, Brigwlydd, Brigwlydd Cynaeafol
Synonyms
- Callitriche autumnalis (L.)
- Callitriche aquatica subsp. autumnalis (Bonnier)
- Callitriche sessilis var. autumnalis (Mérat)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Aleutian Is. (native)
- Altay (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Alabama (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5372488)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330920-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Callitriche hermaphroditica L.)
Specifications
Growth form: Single Crown
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.4
Ph minimum: 5.6