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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Elatine americana

Elatine americana (Pursh) Arn.

American Waterwort

Elatinaceae (Waterwort Family)

Synonym(s): Elatine triandra, Elatine triandra var. americana

USDA Symbol: ELAM3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Obovate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Inflorescence: Axillary
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Stems submersed, ascending or prostrate, up to about 2 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Red
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Greenish white to pinkish white to reddish. Flowers inconspicuous.

Distribution

USA: CT , DE , GA , KS , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT
Canada: NB
Native Habitat: Ponds, on muddy shores, tidal pools.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 3 - Flora of North America (2014) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Elatine americana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Elatine americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Elatine americana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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