Eight-stamened waterwort (Elatine hydropiper, Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753))

Family: Elatinaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Elatine

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Russian Far East

Description

The Eight-stamened waterwort, scientifically known as Elatine hydropiper, is a species belonging to the family Elatinaceae. This aquatic plant is notable for its widespread presence, extending across Europe and reaching as far as the Russian Far East. First described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” Elatine hydropiper features prominently in the aquatic flora across this broad region.

Characteristically, the Eight-stamened waterwort thrives in wet, marshy conditions, often found in shallow waters of lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. The name “Eight-stamened” is derived from its reproductive structure, specifically the number of stamens found in its flowers, which is a distinctive trait within the Elatinaceae family. This trait helps in distinguishing it from other related species, providing a useful identification marker for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

As a native aquatic species, Elatine hydropiper plays a vital role in its ecosystem. It contributes to the aquatic habitat by providing cover for small aquatic creatures and plays a part in the diet of various herbivorous species. Additionally, its presence is indicative of the water quality and the ecological balance of the regions it inhabits.

Overall, the Eight-stamened waterwort exemplifies the rich biodiversity of aquatic plant life. Its study provides insights into aquatic plant adaptation and distribution, enriching our understanding of the environmental and ecological dynamics of freshwater habitats from Europe to the vast expanse of the Russian Far East.

Common Names

Dan: vandpeber-bækarve
Deu: wasserpfeffer-tännel, wasserpfeffertännel
Eng: eight-stamened waterwort, octandrous waterwort
Fra: elatine poivre deau, élatine poivre-d’eau
Nld: klein glaskroos
Lav: udenspiparu sikeglite
Swe: korsslamkrypa, slamkrypa
Sme: čáhcenjahku
Cym: gwybybyr wyth brigerog, gwybybyr wythfrigerog, gwybybyr wythochrog
En: Eight-stamened waterwort, Octandrous waterwort, Waterwort
Be: Павойнічак сагнутасемянны
Bg: Пиперлив надводник
Zh: 马蹄沟繁缕
Cs: Úpor peprný
Da: Vandpeber-bækarve
Nl: Klein glaskroos
Et: Mõru vesipipar
Fi: Katkeravesirikko
Fr: Elatine poivre deau, Élatine poivre-d’eau
De: Wasserpfeffer-Tännel, Wasserpfeffertännel
Hu: Csigásmagvú látonya
It: Pepe d’acqua a 8 stami, Pepe-d’acqua ad otto stami
Lv: Udenspiparu sikeglite
Lt: Riestasėklė vandenė
Se: Čáhcenjahku
Pl: Nadwodnik naprzeciwlistny
Ru: Повойничек перечный
Sv: Korsslamkrypa, Slamkrypa
Cy: Gwybybyr wythfrigerog, Gwybybyr Wyth Brigerog, Gwybybyr Wythochrog

Synonyms

• Elatine serpyllifolia (Gray)
• Elatine serpillifolium (Gilib.)
• Elatine siphosperma (Dumort.)
• Elatine paludosa subsp. major ((A.Braun) Bonnier & Layens)
• Elatine hydropiper subsp. gyrosperma (P.Fourn.)
• Elatine hydropiper var. gyrosperma ((Fr.) Lange)
• Elatine schkuhriana ((B.Heyne) Kauffm.)
• Elatine hydropiper var. submersa (Hartm.)
• Elatine hydropiper var. emersa (Hartm.)
• Elatine majuscula (Dumort.)
• Elatine major (A.Braun)
• Elatine conjugata (Lam.)
• Elatine hydropiper f. intermedia (Seub.)
• Elatine hydropiper var. schkuhriana (Gaudin)
• Rhizium curvum (Dulac)
• Hydropiper majus ((A.Braun) Fourr.)
• Elatine hexandra subsp. major ((A.Braun) Arcang.)
• Elatine hardyana (Dumort.)
• Potamopitys major ((A.Braun) Kuntze)
• Elatinella hydropiper ((L.) Opiz)
• Elatine paludosa var. octandra (Gren. & Godr.)
• Elatine hydropiper f. terrestris (Seub.)
• Elatine gyrosperma ((Fr.) Meinsh.)
• Alsine elatina (Crantz)
• Elatine hydropiper f. submersa ((Hartm.) Seub.)
• Alsinastrum octandrum (Bubani)
• Alsinastrum gyrospermum ((Fr.) Rupr.)
• Elatine oederi (Moesz)
• Elatine nodosa (Arn.)
• Potamopitys hydropiper ((L.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© 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/9076200)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:324690-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elatine hydropiper L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Soil nutriments: 5