Hottonia palustris

Hottonia palustris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Hottonia
Species: H. palustris
Binomial name
Hottonia palustris
L.

Hottonia palustris (the water violet or featherfoil) of the family Primulaceae is an aquatic plant.

Distribution

Europe and northern Asia.

Description

This plant has a stem reaching up to 80 cm in height. Its basal roots are buried in the underlying mud while other silvery, shiny roots dangle freely in the water. The leaves are deeply divided as far as the central vein, like the teeth of a double comb, and are completely submerged, but if there is a drastic fall in the water level they can surface. The leaves are alternate or connected to the stem in more of less regular whorls. Flowers from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile.

Cultivation

Naturally a bog / marsh plant and most plants sold have been grown emerse and need to be submerged in stages in the aquarium to encourage it to adapt and form submerse leaf forms. Can be kept in the cool or tropical aquarium. Give a good substrate, light and if possible additional CO2. Can be grown in or around the pond. Considered a good oxygenator for the pond and its bushy leaves provide protection for fish and fry. Can be grown floating as well. Sunny spot.

Use in alternative medicine

Hottonia palustris has been listed as one of the 38 plants used to prepare Bach flower remedies,[1] a kind of alternative medicine promoted for its effect on health. However according to Cancer Research UK, "there is no scientific evidence to prove that flower remedies can control, cure or prevent any type of disease, including cancer".[2]

References

  1. D. S. Vohra (1 June 2004). Bach Flower Remedies: A Comprehensive Study. B. Jain Publishers. p. 3. ISBN 978-81-7021-271-3. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  2. "Flower remedies". Cancer Research UK. Retrieved September 2013.

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hottonia palustris.
Inflorescence


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