Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, caulescent; turions absent. Leaves alternate, floating [submersed], petiolate [sessile]; sheath not persisting longer than blade, not leaving circular scar when shed, not ligulate, not auriculate; blade ovate to narrowly lanceolate [linear]; intravaginal squamules (i.e., minute appressed, planate trichomes attached at basal edge) scales, more than 2. Inflorescences terminal, spikes, subtended by spathe, pedunculate; peduncle following fertilization not elongating, not spiraling. Flowers bisexual [unisexual]; subtending bracts absent; perianth present [absent]; tepals 1[–6]; stamens 6–18[–50] in 2–3[–4] series, not epitepalous; anthers distinct, dehiscing longitudinally; pollen ellipsoid; pistils 2–6[–9], distinct, not stipitate; ovules basal-marginal, anatropous. Fruits follicles. Seeds 4; embryo straight.

Distribution

North America, s Africa, and tropical regions of Eastern Hemisphere.

Discussion

Genera 1, species 5247 (1 genus, 1 species in the flora).

Selected References

Bruggen, H. W. E. van. 1973. Revision of the genus Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae): VI. The species of Africa. Bull. Jard. Bot. Natl. Belg. 43: 1--2, 193--233.

Bruggen, H. W. E. van. 1985. Monograph of the Genus Aponogeton (Aponogetonaceae). Stuttgart.

Lower Taxa

Aponogeton

Illustrations

	Family ⠉	Taxon	Illustrator ⠉
	Scheuchzeriaceae Aponogetonaceae Juncaginaceae	Scheuchzeria palustris Aponogeton distachyos Lilaea scilloides	John Myers John Myers John Myers