Narrowleaf water-starwort (Callitriche hamulata, Syn. Fl. Germ. Helv.: 246 (1835))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch

Bibliography: Syn. Fl. Germ. Helv.: 246 (1835)

Year: 1835

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Callitriche

Vegetable: False

Observations: Greenland, Europe, NW. Africa

Description

Narrowleaf Water-starwort (Callitriche hamulata)

The Narrowleaf Water-starwort, scientifically known as Callitriche hamulata, is an aquatic plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. This intriguing species was first described in the Synopsis Florae Germanicae et Helveticae in 1835 by the botanist W.D.J. Koch, with the taxonomic naming attributed to Kütz.

Callitriche hamulata is a versatile and resilient species found primarily in freshwater environments across a broad geographical range, including Greenland, Europe, and North-Western Africa. The plant is commonly encountered in slow-moving rivers, ponds, and marshes, where it plays a critical role in the aquatic ecosystem by providing habitat and oxygenation to the water.

Characterized by its slender, elongated leaves, the Narrowleaf Water-starwort exhibits a delicate, star-like appearance that gives the plant its common name. The leaves are typically narrow and linear, adapting well to submerged conditions and enhancing the plant’s efficiency in nutrient uptake and photosynthesis.

The flowering period of Callitriche hamulata occurs during the warmer months, where minute, inconspicuous flowers bloom. These flowers, although not visually striking, are essential for the reproductive cycle of the species. The plant relies on water for pollination, with seeds that disperse through the aquatic environment, ensuring a widespread presence.

Ecologically, Callitriche hamulata contributes significantly to its habitat. It stabilizes sediment, reduces water turbidity, and provides a vital food resource for various aquatic organisms. Moreover, its presence can be an indicator of water quality, reflecting the health of the freshwater ecosystem it inhabits.

In conclusion, the Narrowleaf Water-starwort is a key species in aquatic ecosystems across a diverse range of geographical locations. Its adaptive characteristics and ecological importance underline the necessity of its conservation and further study to understand fully its role and benefits within its native habitats.

Common Names

Deu: haken-wasserstern
Eng: narrowleaf water-starwort, intermediate water-starwort
Dan: smalbladet vandstjerne
Nld: haaksterrenkroos
Sme: gazzaloaŋka
Swe: klolånke
Cym: brigwlydd canolig, brigwlydd cyfryngol
En: Narrowleaf water-starwort, Intermediate Water-starwort
Da: Smalbladet vandstjerne
Nl: Haaksterrenkroos, Haaksterrekroos
Fr: Callitriche à crochets, Callitriche en crochet, Callitriche en hameçon
De: Haken-Wasserstern, Hakiger Wasserstern
It: Gamberaja arrotondata
Se: Gazzaloaŋka
Sv: Klolånke
Cy: Brigwlydd Canolig, Brigwlydd Cyfryngol

Synonyms

• Callitriche tenuifolia (Fr.)
• Callitriche pallens (M.Bieb.)
• Callitriche intermedia ((F.H.Wigg.) Hoffm.)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. rivularis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche verna subsp. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Hook.f.)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. platyphylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. halleri (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. heterophylla ((Kütz.) Kütz.)
• Stellina hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Bubani)
• Callitriche hamulata f. caespitosa (Glück)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. minuta (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. roepertii ((Kütz.) Kütz.)
• Callitriche hamulata f. terrestris (Glück)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. replicata-major (Kütz.)
• Callitriche intermedia subsp. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Clapham)
• Callitriche autumnalis subsp. fluviatilis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. spathulifolia (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. alterna (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis subsp. tenuior (Kütz.)
• Callitriche pallens var. intermedia ((Hoffm.) Gray)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. roepertii (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. heterophylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche genuina (Ducommun)
• Callitriche hamulata subvar. reflexa ((Lange ex Cutanda) Nyman)
• Callitriche brutia subsp. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. macrophylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. microphylla-pedicellata (Kütz.)
• Callitriche dubia (Hoffm.)
• Callitriche hamulata var. autumnalis (Nyman)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. hoffmannii (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. trichophylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. microphylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche reflexa (Lange ex Cutanda)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. ovalifolia (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. brachyphylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. praecox (Kütz.)
• Callitriche longifolia ((Hill) Druce)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. calophylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. platyphylla ((Kütz.) Kütz.)
• Callitriche hamulata f. heterophylla (Glück)
• Callitriche hamulata var. homoiophylla (Godr.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. anantha (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. replicata-minor (Kütz.)
• Callitriche brutia var. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Lansdown)
• Callitriche hamulata f. submersa (Glück)
• Callitriche aquatica subsp. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Bonnier & Layens)
• Callitriche hamulata f. homoiophylla ((Godr.) Soó)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. linophylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. implexa (Kütz.)
• Callitriche sessilis var. intermedia ((Hoffm.) Mérat)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. goldbachii (Kütz.)
• Callitriche palustris subsp. hamulata ((Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch) Schinz & Thell.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. microphylla-sessilis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. lacustris (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. intricata (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis var. piscinalis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. triphylla (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. pedicellata (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. natans (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. mutabilis (Kütz.)
• Callitriche autumnalis f. mutata (Kütz.)
• Callitriche verna var. intermedia ((Hoffm.) Hartm.)
• Callitriche connata (Raf.)
• Callitriche decussata (Schur)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Habit

Taken Sep 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Calais (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Leaf

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Calais (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude Calais (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

Taken May 31, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8347953)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:430002-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Callitriche hamulata Kütz. ex W.D.J.Koch)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth