Six-stamen waterwort (Elatine hexandra, J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 5: 609 (1815))

Family: Elatinaceae

Author: (Lapierre) DC.

Bibliography: J.B.A.M.de Lamarck & A.P.de Candolle, Fl. Franç., ed. 3, 5: 609 (1815)

Year: 1815

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Elatine

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, Europe

Description

The Six-stamen waterwort, scientifically named Elatine hexandra, is a fascinating aquatic plant belonging to the Elatinaceae family. Initially described in the 1815 edition of “Flora Française” by prominent botanists J.B.A.M. de Lamarck and A.P. de Candolle, this plant has intrigued botanists and nature enthusiasts for centuries. Remarkably, the nomenclature of this plant was later attributed to (Lapierre) DC., further solidifying its scholarly recognition.

Native to regions such as the Azores and widely found across Europe, the Six-stamen waterwort thrives in damp, waterlogged environments. This versatility in habitat illustrates the resilience and adaptability of Elatine hexandra. The plant features, as the name suggests, six stamens, which is a distinctive characteristic that aids in its identification and classification among other members of the Elatinaceae family.

The ecological significance of the Six-stamen waterwort cannot be overstated. These plants play an integral role in their ecosystems, contributing to the biodiversity of aquatic flora. They support a variety of aquatic organisms by providing habitat and maintaining the health of water bodies.

Understanding the Six-stamen waterwort is essential for botanists and ecologists who aim to preserve aquatic ecosystems and their complex interdependencies. Through meticulous observation and study, as noted in its extensive documentation history, Elatine hexandra continues to be a subject of scientific interest and ecological importance.

Common Names

Deu: sechsmänniger tännel, sechsmänniges tännel
Dan: sekshannet bækarve
Nor: skaftevjeblom
Fra: elatine à six étamines
Nld: gesteeld glaskroos
Pol: nadwodnik szescioprecikowy
Eng: six-stamen waterwort, six-stamened waterwort, waterwort
Swe: skaftslamkrypa
Cym: gwybybyr chwe brigerog, gwybybyr chwebrigerog, gwybybyr chweochrol
En: Six-stamen waterwort, Six-stamened waterwort, Waterwort
Da: Sekshannet bækarve
Nl: Gesteeld glaskroos
Fi: Kuusihedevesirikko
Fr: Elatine à six étamines, Élatine à six étamines
De: Sechsmänniger Tännel, Sechsmänniges Tännel
It: Pepe d’acqua a 6 stami, Pepe-d’acqua a sei stami
No: Skaftevjeblom
Pl: Nadwodnik szescioprecikowy
Sv: Skaftslamkrypa
Cy: Gwybybyr Chwe Brigerog, Gwybybyr Chwebrigerog, Gwybybyr Chweochrol

Synonyms

• Elatine paludosa var. hexandra ((Lapierre) Willk.)
• Elatine paludosa subsp. hexandra ((Lapierre) Bonnier)
• Elatine hexandra subvar. pedunculata (Coss. & Germ.)
• Elatine hydropiper var. hexandra ((DC.) Gaudin)
• Elatine paludosa (Seub.)
• Tillaea hexandra (Lapierre)
• Hydropiper hexandrum ((Lapierre) Fourr.)
• Elatine hexandra var. pedunculata ((Coss. & Germ.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Elatine tripetala (Sm.)
• Potamopitys hexandra ((Lapierre) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2013 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Lou Lobj (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Leaf

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by Graham Howie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by Emily Hutchison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Françoise Alsaker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2020 by Emily Hutchison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Lou Lobj (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Oct 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5646074)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:324687-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elatine hexandra (Lapierre) DC.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 4