Hottonia palustris

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Ordo: Ericales

Familia: Primulaceae
Subfamilia: Primuloideae
Genus: Hottonia
Species: Hottonia palustris
Name

Hottonia palustris L.
References

USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Hottonia palustris in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 23 October 2007.

Vernacular names
čeština: Žebernatka bahenní
Deutsch: Wasserfeder
English: Water Violet, Featherfoil
suomi: Vesisulka
français: Hottonie des marais
Nederlands: Waterviolier

Hottonia palustris, also water violet or featherfoil, is an aquatic plant in the family Primulaceae.

Description
Inflorescence

The plant has a stem reaching up to 80 centimetres (30 in) in height. Its basal roots are buried in the underlying mud, while other silvery, shiny roots dangle freely in the water. The leaves are deeply divided as far as the central vein, like the teeth of a double comb, and are completely submerged, but can surface after a drastic fall in water level. The leaves are alternate or connected to the stem in more or less regular whorls. The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated by insects and cleistogamy; they appear from May to June. The plant is self-fertile.
Distribution

Featherfoil is found in Europe and northern Asia. The species epithet palustris is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat.[1]
Cultivation

Naturally a bog or marsh plant, most specimens sold have been grown emersed and must be submerged in stages in the aquarium to encourage them to adapt and form submerse leaves. Featherfoil can be kept in a cool or tropical aquarium. A good substrate, light and, if possible, additional CO2 are beneficial. It can be grown in or around ponds, for which it is considered a good oxygenator. Its bushy leaves provide protection for fish and fry. It can grow floating as well, or exposed to sun.
References

Archibald William Smith A Gardener's Handbook of Plant Names: Their Meanings and Origins, p. 258, at Google Books

Further reading

Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and Warburg, E.F. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
Bowler, P., 2002, Water Violet, British Wildlife, Volume 13, No 5: 325 (Colour photograph)