The photo at right shows an additional close-up view of the flower of fringed waterplantain as seen in the Columbia River Gorge near Horsethief Butte........early June, 2009.
Characteristics:
Fringed waterplantain is also known as star waterplantain. It is an aquatic plant with one to several flower stems and numerous basal leaves arising from a short rhizome from 20-40 cm high. The leaves have long petioles, the blades are linear to oblong-lanceolate with rounded or abruptly narrowed bases. The blades range from 3-6 cm long. The blades are 3-nerved.
The flower scapes equal or surpass the leaves. The inflorescence consists of an umbel or panicle of 2-4 whorls. The 3 petals are white, 8-10 mm long, and broadly obovate with fringed petals (See photo above.) The 3 sepals are 4-5 mm long and broadly ovate or oblong.
Fringed waterplantain is found in shallow water in ponds, lakes, ditches and wet fields.
Fringed waterplantain may be found from Wheeler County, Oregon south to central California and east to southwestern Idaho and western Idaho.
In the Columbia River Gorge, it may be found between the elevations of 200'-600' in vernal ponds in the vicinity of Horsethief Lake State Park (now the Columbia Hills State Park).
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
