Family: Pontederiaceae
Author: (Sw.) Willd.
Bibliography: Mag. Neuesten Entdeck. Gesammten Naturk. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 3: 439 (1801)
Year: 1801
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Heteranthera
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America to C. U.S.A.
Description
Blue mud-plantain, known scientifically as Heteranthera limosa, is a fascinating aquatic plant belonging to the family Pontederiaceae. This plant has an extensive range, thriving in tropical and subtropical regions from the Americas to the central United States.
First described in 1801, Blue mud-plantain’s distinguishing features include its delicate, often blue-tinted flowers that gracefully emerge from slim, verdant foliage. Its botanical classification was authored by (Sw.) Willd. in the works documented under Mag. Neuesten Entdeck. Gesammten Naturk. Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 3: 439.
Typically found in wetland habitats, Blue mud-plantain flourishes in muddy, freshwater environments, making it a vital component of these ecosystems. Its capacity to adapt to various moist conditions—from marshes to the edges of water bodies—demonstrates its ecological versatility.
The prevalence of Heteranthera limosa across a large geographical spectrum underscores its environmental importance, supporting diverse aquatic fauna and contributing to the health and stability of its native ecosystems. Whether admired by botanists for its botanical intrigue or ecologists for its ecological role, the Blue mud-plantain remains a subject of interest in natural sciences.
Common Names
Fra: hétéranthère des marais
Eng: blue mud-plantain, blue mudplantain, ducksalad, mud plantain
En: Blue mud-plantain, Blue mudplantain, Ducksalad, Mud plantain
Fr: Hétéranthère des marais
It: Eterantera a fiore azzurro
Synonyms
- Pontederia triandra (Banks ex Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Heteranthera alismoides (Humb. ex Link)
- Schollera limosa ((Sw.) Raf.)
- Lunania uniflora (Raf.)
- Heteranthera hydrocleifolia (Griseb.)
- Pontederia limosa (Sw.)
- Leptanthus ovalis (Michx.)
- Triexastima uniflora ((Raf.) Raf.)
- Phrynium limosum ((Sw.) Kuntze)
- Heteranthera limosa f. albiflora (Benke)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- California (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Netherlands Antilles (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Greece (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- Sardegna (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Sunshine Jull (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Gutierrez Araisy (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 23, 2018 by García Faustino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2021 by Santos Amabilio (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 11, 2020 by Santos Joseph (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 16, 2015 by EOL − Bob O’Kennon (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 16, 2015 by EOL − Bob O’Kennon (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Fruit
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Garrett E. Crow (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 20, 2015 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 14, 2014 by EOL − Alexis López Hernández (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Germaine A. Parada (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2014 by EOL − anewman (cc-by-nc)
Other
Taken Sep 18, 2021 by Gutierrez Araisy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2012 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2012 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2012 by OTS – Padilla, Sergio (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2766129)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:698071-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Heteranthera limosa (Sw.) Willd.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 9
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Soil nutriments: 8
