Barclaya longifolia
Species of perennial aquatic plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barclaya longifolia is a species of perennial aquatic plant native to the region of Indo-China to Northwest Peninsular Malaysia.[2]
| Barclaya longifolia | |
|---|---|
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| Barclaya longifolia in its natural habitat Thailand with emergent chasmogamous flower | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Order: | Nymphaeales |
| Family: | Nymphaeaceae |
| Genus: | Barclaya |
| Species: | B. longifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Barclaya longifolia Wall.[2] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
Vegetative characteristics
Barclaya longifolia is a submerged, perennial, aquatic herb[3] with ovoid, tuberous, stoloniferous, 2-3 cm long, and 0.5-1.5 cm wide rhizomes.[4] The linear-lanceolate, 12-30 cm long and 2-5 cm wide leaves with an obtuse apex, and a cordate base have an undulate margin.[5] The abaxial leaf surface displays red colouration.[3] The petioles are 6-25 cm long.[6]
Generative characteristics
The submerged and cleistogamous, or emerged and chasmogamous,[7] 4-6 cm wide flowers are attached to 5-30 cm long peduncles with numerous trichomes.[4] The sepals are 1.5-2.5 cm long, and 0.5-0.6 cm wide.[6] The syncarpous, inferior gynoecium consists of 8-14 carpels.[8] The globose, reddish green to whitish, 1-2 cm wide fruit bears 1mm long, and 0.5 mm wide, echinate, brownish red, globose seeds[4] without an arillus.[6][8][9]
Cytology
The diploid chromosome count is 2n = 36.[4] The chloroplast genome is 158359 bp long.[10]
Reproduction
Taxonomy
It was first described by Nathaniel Wallich in 1827.[2] It is the type species of its genus.[6][4] The type specimen was collected by Wallich in Rangoon, Myanmar in August 1826.[4][6]
Etymology
The specific epithet (longifolia) is derived from the Latin words longus meaning "long" and folium meaning "leaf".[11]
Conservation
Ecology
Habitat
It occurs in quickly flowing rivers, streams, and stagnant pools. Disturbance of the substrate by wild boar may be beneficial for the establishment of Barclaya longifolia seedlings in their natural habitat.[4]
Use
In Laos, Barclaya longifolia is used for its edible leaves.[13]