Microcarpaea

Scientific name

Microcarpaea R. Br.

Family

Plantaginaceae

Similar genera

Crassula, Dentella, Diodia, Rotala

Native distribution

Asia to Australia

Species cultivated

Microcarpaea minima (K.D. König ex Retz.) Merr.

Adventive distribution

none

Weed status

frequently in rice fields, but not considered weedy

Habit

small, creeping stem plantstem plant:
(n) (a term used in the aquarium and pond plant trade) having an elongate stem (as opposed to a compact stem)

Brief description

Brief description: Annual or perennialperennial:
(adj) (of a plant) having a life cycle of more than two years
. Stems prostrateprostrate:
(adj) growing closely along the ground
, creeping, with adventitiousadventitious:
(adj) of an organ growing where it is not normally expected, e.g., roots growing from a stem
roots at nodes forming dense mat. Leaves decussatedecussate:
(adj) arranged along stem in pairs, with each pair at right angles to the pairs above and below
, sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
; leaf bladeblade:
(n) (syn. lamina) the flat, expanded part of a leaf, frond, or petal (excluding, e.g., the petiole)
oblongoblong:
(adj) two to four times longer than wide, with +/- parallel sides
to ellipticelliptical:
(adj) in the form of an ellipse (oval)
, small (2-5 mm long); marginmargin:
(n) edge; rim
entire. Flowers solitary, sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
in leaf axils; sepals 5, margins ciliateciliate:
(adj) with a marginal fringe of stiff hairs
, petals 5, margins ciliateciliate:
(adj) with a marginal fringe of stiff hairs
; adaxialadaxial:
(adj) pertaining to the side facing toward the axis, as in the upper surface of a leaf
lobe longer than rest; white to pale purple. Dispersal by seeds and stem fragments.

Natural habitat

swamps and littorallittoral:
(adj) of or along the shore
zone with periodic inundation

Additional comments

A single species in the genus, Microcarpaea minima is not widely found in the aquarium hobby. It is closely related to Glossostigma Wight & Am. The flowers are distinctive and readily differentiate it from similar looking plants.