Alisma plantago-aquatica

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Ordo: Alismatales

Familia: Alismataceae
Genus: Alisma
Species: Alisma plantago-aquatica
Subspecies: A. p. subsp. orientale – A. p. subsp. plantago-aquatica
Name

Alisma plantago-aquatica L., Sp. Pl. 1: 342. 1753.
Synonyms

Homotypic
Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. latifolium Ehrh., Hannover. Mag. 18: 221 (1780), nom. inval.
Alisma major Gray, Nat. Arr. Brit. Pl. 2: 216 (1821 publ. 1822), nom. superfl.

References
Primary references

Linnaeus, C. 1753. Species Plantarum. Tomus I: 342. Reference page.

Links

Hassler, M. 2018. Alisma plantago-aquatica. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2018. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Jul. 01. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2018. Alisma plantago-aquatica. Published online. Accessed: Jul. 01 2018.
The Plant List 2013. Alisma plantago-aquatica in The Plant List Version 1.1. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Jul. 01.
Tropicos.org 2018. Alisma plantago-aquatica. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 01 Jul. 2018.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2018. Alisma plantago-aquatica in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2018 Jul. 01. Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Alisma plantago-aquatica in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.

Vernacular names
azərbaycanca: Bağayarpağıyabənzər süsənbər
башҡортса: Баҡа япрағы
čeština: žabník jitrocelový
Cymraeg: Llyriad y dŵr
dansk: Vejbred-Skeblad
Deutsch: Gewöhnlicher Froschlöffel
English: American waterplantain, European water-plantain, common water-plantain, mad-dog weed
español: llantén acuático, Rosetón de agua, Pan de ranas
eesti: Harilik konnarohi, Koerakeelerohi, Vesilill, Ojalill, Konnarohi, Havirohi
euskara: Urzain-belar
فارسی: قاشق‌واش
suomi: Ratamosarpio
Nordfriisk: Hekbleeden
français: Plantain d'eau commun
hrvatski: Žabočun
hornjoserbsce: Wšědny žabnik
magyar: Vízi hídőr
lietuvių: Gyslotinis dumblialaiškis
Nederlands: Grote waterweegbree
polski: Żabieniec babka wodna
português: Tanchagem-da-água
русский: Частуха обыкновенная, Частуха подорожниковая, Водный подорожник
slovenčina: žabník skorocelový
српски / srpski: Водена боквица
svenska: Svalting
українська: Частуха подорожникова
Tiếng Việt: Trạch tả, Mã đề nước
中文: 泽泻

Alisma plantago-aquatica, also known as European water-plantain, common water-plantain or mad-dog weed, is a perennial flowering aquatic plant widespread across most of Europe and Asia, and apparently spread elsewhere in both the Old and New World.

Description
Flower

Alisma plantago-aquatica is a hairless plant that grows in shallow water, consists of a fibrous root, several basal long stemmed leaves 15–30 centimetres (6–12 inches) long, and a triangular stem up to 1 metre (3+1⁄2 feet) tall. It has branched inflorescence bearing numerous small flowers, 1 cm (1⁄2 in) across, with three round or slightly jagged, white or pale purple petals. The flowers open in the afternoon. There are three blunt green sepals and 6 stamens per flower. The carpels often exist as a flat single whorl.[2] It flowers from June until August.[3] The fruits appear as a ring of seeds inside each flower.[3]
Chemistry

Chemical constituents of Rhizoma Alismatis—rhizomes of Alisma orientale (syn. Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale) as a traditional Chinese medicine—include alisol A 24-acetate and alisol B 23-acetate.[4] The content of these two compounds are significantly different in Rhizoma Alismatis of different areas.
Similar species

Narrow-leaved water plantain Alisma lanceolatum differs only in that the leaf tips are acuminate and shape is narrow lanceolate.

According to some sources, presumed specimens found in North America are actually the similar A. subcordatum and A. trivale.[3]
Taxonomy

The word alisma is said to be a word of Celtic origin meaning "water", a reference to the habitat in which it grows. Early botanists named it after the Plantago because of the similarity of their leaves.[5]
Distribution and habitat

The species is widespread across most of Europe and Asia from Portugal and Morocco to Japan, Kamchatka and Vietnam. It is also regarded as native in northern and central Africa as far south as Tanzania, and in Australia.[6] It is reportedly naturalized in southern Africa, New Zealand, Alaska, British Columbia, Washington state and Connecticut.[7][8][9] Some sources maintain that the species is widespread across North America, but these reports appear to have been based on misidentified specimens.[10] It is found on mud or in fresh waters.[3]
Uses

The rootstocks contain starch and can be boiled or soaked to remove bitterness before eating. Aquatic plants in general should be cooked before consumption to kill parasites.[11]

According to Flora of the U.S.S.R. (1934), "A powder prepared from dried roots is used in popular medicine as a cure for rabies and crushed leaves are used against mammary congestion; fresh leaves are employed in homeopathy. ... Since this species is often confounded or identified with others of the genus, the reported data may also refer to [A. orientale or A. lanceolatum]."[12] A. plantago-aquatica is also known as mad-dog weed,[13] as if it could be used to cure rabies, but should not be confused with Scutellaria lateriflora (mad-dog skullcap), which is also sometimes called mad-dog weed.

Alisma orientale is sometimes treated as a variety of this species (A. plantago-aquatica var. orientale).[14][15] The rhizomes of A. orientale have been used as a traditional Chinese medicine, ze xie.[16] However, it may have serious side effects or even toxic effects such as hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B.[17]
Research

In vitro and animal studies indicate that extracts of Alisma plantago-aquatica or its isolated chemical constituents may have biological activities including:

activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor[18]
hepatoprotective properties[19]
anti-allergic effects[20][21]

References

Lansdown, R.V.; Beentje, H.J. (2017). "Alisma plantago-aquatica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T164129A84275593. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T164129A84275593.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Flora of North America v 22, Alisma plantago-aquatica
Spellenberg, Richard (2001) [1979]. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers: Western Region (rev ed.). Knopf. p. 333. ISBN 978-0-375-40233-3.
"Determinations of Active Compositions in Rhizoma Alismatis from Different Areas--《Clinical Medicine & Engineering》2010年10期".
Rose, Francis (2006). The Wild Flower Key. Frederick Warne & Co. pp. 483–484. ISBN 978-0-7232-5175-0.
"Alisma plantago-aquatica - Water Plantain". Flora of Victoria. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
"World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
Biota of North America Program
"Alisma plantago-aquatica in Flora of China @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
Björkquist, I. 1968. Studies in Alisma L. II. Chromosome studies, crossing experiments and taxonomy. Opera Botanica 19: 1-138.
The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants. United States Department of the Army. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. 2009. p. 111. ISBN 978-1-60239-692-0. OCLC 277203364.
Flora of the U.S.S.R. Vol. 1. 1968. pp. 220–1. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
"Historical Common Names of Great Plains Plants: Alisma plantago-aquatica L". Archived from the original on 2011-06-08. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
"Alisma plantago-aquatica var. orientale". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved June 3, 2012.
"Alisma orientale". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved June 3, 2012.
"SCHEDULE 1 Chinese Herbal Medicines". Chinese Medicine Bill. Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Retrieved June 3, 2012. "Rhizoma Alismatis (澤瀉) Tuber of Alisma orientalis (Sam.) Juzep."
YUEN, M.-F.; TAM, S.; FUNG, J.; WONG, D. K.-H.; WONG, B. C.-Y. & LAI, C.-L. (October 2006). "Traditional Chinese medicine causing hepatotoxicity in patients with chronic hepatitis B infection: a 1-year prospective study". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 24 (8): 1179–86. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.03111.x. PMID 17014576. S2CID 20596518.
Rau O., Wurglics M., Dingermann Th., Abdel-Tawab M., Schubert-Zsilavecz M, "Screening of herbal extracts for activation of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor." Pharmazie 2006 61:11 (952-956)
Jeong C.S., Suh I.O., Hyun J.E., Lee E.B. "Screening of hepatoprotective activity of medicinal plant extracts on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats", Natural Product Sciences 2003 9:2 (87-90)
Kubo, Michinori; Mattsuda, Hideaki; Tomohiro, Norimichi; Yoshikawa, Masayuki (May 1997). "Studies on Alismatis rhizoma. Anti-allergic Effects of Methanol Extract and Six Terpene Components from Alismatis rhizoma (Dried Rhizome of Alisma orientale)" (PDF). Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 20 (5): 511–6. doi:10.1248/bpb.20.511. PMID 9178931. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
Lee, JH; Kwon, OS; Jin, HG; Woo, ER; Kim, YS; Kim, HP (2012). "The Rhizomes of Alisma orientale and Alisol Derivatives Inhibit Allergic Response and Experimental Atopic Dermatitis". Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 35 (9): 1581–7. doi:10.1248/bpb.b110689. PMID 22975512.