Twoheaded water-starwort (Callitriche heterophylla, Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 3 (1813))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: Pursh

Bibliography: Fl. Amer. Sept. 1: 3 (1813)

Year: 1813

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Callitriche

Vegetable: False

Observations: Kamchatka to Kuril Is., N. & C. America, Domincan Rep., NW. Venezuela, Bolivia to S. South America

Description

Twoheaded water-starwort, known scientifically as Callitriche heterophylla, is a fascinating aquatic plant belonging to the Plantaginaceae family. This species was first detailed in “Flora Americae Septentrionalis” by the botanist Pursh in 1813.

Callitriche heterophylla can be found in a broad geographical range, spanning from the cold landscapes of Kamchatka to the diverse climates of the Kuril Islands and North and Central America. Its presence extends further into the Caribbean, specifically the Dominican Republic, and down through the continent to northwestern Venezuela and continuing into Bolivia and southern South America.

This widespread distribution showcases the adaptability of the Twoheaded water-starwort to various environments and climatic conditions. As an aquatic plant, it thrives in wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving water bodies, playing a crucial role in these ecosystems by providing habitat for aquatic organisms and contributing to the health of the water quality.

In summary, the Twoheaded water-starwort or Callitriche heterophylla is a notable plant within the Plantaginaceae family, recognized for its extensive geographic distribution and ecological importance.

Common Names

Eng: differentleaf waterstarwort, greater waterstarwort, larger waterstarwort, twoheaded water-starwort, variedleaf waterstarwort, large water-starwort, two-headed water-starwort, bolander’s water-starwort, different-leaved water-starwort, diverse-leaved water-starwort, greater water-starwort, two-edged water-starwort, varied-leaved water-starwort
Fra: callitriche hétérophylle
En: Twoheaded water-starwort, Greater Water-Starwort, LARGER WATERSTARWORT, VARIEDLEAF WATERSTARWORT, Differentleaf waterstarwort, Greater water starwort, Two-headed water-starwort, Greater waterstarwort, Large water-starwort, Bolander’s water-starwort, Different-leaved water-starwort, Diverse-leaved water-starwort, Two-edged water-starwort, Varied-leaved water-starwort
Fr: Callitriche hétérophylle

Synonyms

• Callitriche heterophylla subsp. bolanderi ((Hegelm.) Calder & Roy L.Taylor)
• Callitriche heterophylla var. bolanderi ((Hegelm.) Fassett)
• Callitriche tuerckheimii (Urb.)
• Callitriche anceps (Fernald)
• Callitriche palustris var. bolanderi ((Hegelm.) Jeps.)
• Callitriche bolanderi (Hegelm.)
• Callitriche asagraei (Hegelm.)
• Callitriche ovata (Raf.)
• Callitriche brevifolia (Pursh)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (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)
• Montana (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yukon (native)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 4, 2020 by Johnny Johnny Burgess (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2014 by EOL − Wendy Feltham (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Howard, R.A. (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/5372482)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30114541-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Callitriche heterophylla Pursh)

Specifications

Growth form>: Single Crown

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.8

Ph minimum: 5.2