''Echinodorus macrophyllus'' is a species of

aquatic plants Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater). They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that ...

in the Alismataceae. It is native to Brazil and

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

Description

Petioles 2 - 3 x longer than the blade, membraneously alate on the base, thin to densely pilose under the blade. Pubescence simple or stellate and absent on young or submerged plants. Blade membraneous, sagittato-cordate or triangularly obovate with long blunt lobes, approximately as wide as the midrib length and widest at the base. Blade (6.5) - 20 – 30 cm long and (7_ - 20 – 30 cm wide with 11 - 13 veins (7 - 15 are possible). No pellucid markings. Stem upright, about twice as long as the leaves, cylindrical, between the whorls triangular, pubescent under whorls as well as petioles.Killeen, T. J. & T. S. Schulenberg. 1998. A biological assessment of Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, Bolivia. RAP Working Papers 10: 1–372. Inflorescence rarely racemose, usually paniculate having 6 - 13 whorls containing 6 - 9 flowers each.

Bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...

s lanceolate, densely ribbed.

s in the first whorl as long as the pedicels, in the other whorls they are a third shorter. Pedicels 1 - 3.5 cm long,

sepals A sepal () is a part of the flower of angiosperms (flowering plants). Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom., p. 106 The term ''sepalum'' was coined b ...

broadly ovate, leather-like, densely ribbed, 5 – 6 mm long,

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s white, obovate, 15 – 18 mm long,

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

s 20 - 24, filaments longer than the

anther The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filam ...

pistil Gynoecium (; ) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more) ''pistils'' ...

s numerous, style longer than the ovary. Aggregate fruit globular, echinate, 6 – 8 mm in diameter.

Achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and indehiscent (they do not ope ...

s flat, subovately-cuneate, 3 x 1.5 mm with 3 - 5 (usually 3) lateral ribs and 2 - 3 oblong and further 3 - 5 small round glands. Stylar beak usually straight, approximately 0.75 mm.

Cultivation

Grow at tropical temperatures with plenty of light and a rich substrate. It can stand lower temperatures however if acclimatised, though it will stay rather smaller and grow more slowly. Water conditions don't seem to be critical. In the smaller aquarium it will often quickly form emerse leaves, which prefer moist conditions and don't like being dried out by being too near lamps etc. It is easy to grow and makes a very good specimen plant for the larger

aquarium An aquarium (plural: ''aquariums'' or ''aquaria'') is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aq ...

Medicinal

It is suitable for aquariums and ornamental, and also medicinal use. The infusion tea leaf provides laxative. A survey has confirmed its effectiveness in cases of hypertension. It is also popularly used as a diuretic and antirheumatic against inflammation of skin and throat, rheumatism, arthritis and syphilis as blood purifier and eliminator of uric acid. The plant produces a rhizome which a mass is extracted. This mass can be made sweet, like pumpkin. This candy is very good as blood cleanser. The plant is used in the production of Brazilian soft drinks Mineirinho and Mate.

References

External links

Tropica
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3006324 macrophyllus Freshwater plants Flora of Brazil Flora of Guyana Flora of Bolivia Plants described in 1841