Aponogetonaceae ~ Aponogeton L. f.
Habit, vegetative morphology. Herb, less than 50 cm, perennial, non-insectivorous, non-aromatic, non-parasitic. Bladder-shaped organs absent. Milky sap present. Thorns absent. Plant habitat. Water plant, rooted in the substrate, submerged or partially submerged. Underground parts. Underground parts with tuber-like structures. Rhizomes present, with tuber-like structures. Stolons absent. Stems. Stems not hairy, round, erect, solid, non-succulent. Petiole round. Leaves. Leaves two types present, large (more than 2 cm long/wide), not hairy on upper surface or on lower surface, stalked, simple, narrow or broad, alternate, in a rosette, margin entire, apex acute or obtuse or rounded, base acute or obtuse or rounded, parallel-veined, with close-parallel secondary venation, midrib prominent, surface waxy or not-waxy, non-succulent, glands absent, dots absent, papillae absent, hydathodes absent. Leaf sheath present. Stipules absent. Ligules absent. Flowers, inflorescence. Flowers bisexual, grouped together in an inflorescence, terminal. Inflorescence a spike, lax, few (2–5)-flowered. Flowers clustered, sessile, small (less than 2 cm), white or yellow. Petals two or 3 or 3-merous or 4 or 4-merous or 5 or more, free. Sepals two or 3 or 3-merous or 4 or 4-merous or 5 or more. Stamens many (more than 5). Bracts absent. Spathe present, not winged, not hairy. Fruits. Fruit a capsule.
Notes: There are two leaf types: underwater (submerged) and above water or floating; The submerged leaves are very narrow and long; The floating leaves are broad (oval or lanceolate in shape).
Common names: A. robinsonii A. Camus: (Cay)choi (Viet.). A. echinatus Roxb.: Sbay mung (Khmer).
Uses: The tuberous rootstock of most species is starchy and is used as food in times of famine; The leaves and inflorescences are eaten as vegetable.
Cite this publication as: ‘Naples, M.L. (2005). Weeds of Rain Fed Lowland Rice Fields of Laos & Cambodia. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Leiden ’.