| Baldellia | |
|---|---|
| Baldellia ranunculoides | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Alismataceae |
| Genus: | Baldellia Parl. |
| Species | |
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Baldellia is a genus of aquatic plants commonly known as lesser water-plantains. It includes two species found in Europe and occasionally in northern Africa. The genus is named in honor of the Italian nobleman Bartolomea Bartoloni-Baldelli.[1] Baldellia is very close to Echinodorus botanically and may be included in that genus after further investigations.
Leaves aerial, elliptical to lanceolate or linear-lanceolate. Flowers hermaphrodite, in 1 - 3 whorls in umbels or racemes, or long-pedunculate in leaf-axils. Stamens 6. Carpels numerous, spirally arranged in a globose head, free, each with 1 ovule; styles apical. Fruitlets achenial, longitudinally 5-ribbed (3 dorsal ribs and 2 closely approximated ventral ribs), with a short, apical beak. 2n=16.
Variable in form according to ecological conditions.