Limnophyton obtusifolium (L.) Miq.

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Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Bart Wursten
BR

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Bart Wursten
BR

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Sune Holt
Pambarra, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Fraser Gear
In area between road 1 and road 3, Gorongosa National Park

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Fraser Gear
In area between road 1 and road 3, Gorongosa National Park

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Mark Hyde
Njiri Pan, Via Lavu, Catapu, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Mark Hyde
Njiri Pan, Via Lavu, Catapu, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Mark Hyde
Njiri Pan, Via Lavu, Catapu, Mozambique

Limnophyton obtusifolium

Photo: Mark Hyde
Njiri Pan, Via Lavu, Catapu, Mozambique

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Sagittaria obtusifolia L.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Annual or perennial (semi-)aquatic herb, up to 1.5 m tall. Rhizome small; roots fibrous and spongy. Leaves emergent, erect; petiole up to 50 cm long, 3-angular in cross-section. Lamina sagittate, mostly hairless, with scattered pellucid dots, wider than the length or the midrib and basal lobes as long or longer than the mid rib; veins 13-17, 3-4 pairs arising from the base, arching to the leaf apex, the others curving down towards the tips of the lobes. Inflorescence on a stout peduncle 0.3-1 m long, branched with 4-7 whorls of flowers. Flowers bisexual or some male in the basal whorls, with greenish sepals and white petals. Fruit with up to 30 carpels, forming a globose head, 10-12 mm in diameter.
Type location:
Asia
Notes: See Lymnophyton angolense for comparison.
Derivation of specific name: obtusifolium: leaves with a blunt tip (obtuse).
Habitat: Swamps, pools, seasonal pans and waterholes.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Widespread in tropical and subtropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, Indochina and Malaysia
FZ divisions: N
Growth form(s): Aquatic, annual, perennial.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Carter, S. (1960). Alismataceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Pages 9 - 11. (Includes a picture).

Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 119.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 84.

Martins, E.S. & Catarino, L. (2009). Alismataceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Pages 8 - 10. (Includes a picture).

Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 44.

Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 112.

Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 180.


Other sources of information about Limnophyton obtusifolium:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Flora of Caprivi: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Flora of Malawi: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Flora of Mozambique: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Flora of Zambia: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Flora of Zimbabwe: Limnophyton obtusifolium

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Limnophyton obtusifolium
African Plant Database: Limnophyton obtusifolium
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Limnophyton obtusifolium
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Limnophyton obtusifolium
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Limnophyton obtusifolium
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Limnophyton obtusifolium
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Limnophyton obtusifolium
JSTOR Plant Science: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Plants of the World Online: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Tropicos: Limnophyton obtusifolium
Wikipedia: Limnophyton obtusifolium


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-25

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2025). Flora of Botswana: Species information: Limnophyton obtusifolium.
https://www.botswanaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=103220, retrieved 16 June 2025

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