Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 21, 2026

Zannichellia

Zannichellia is a genus of submerged aquatic flowering plant, with threadlike leaves and tiny flowers. It is fully adapted to an aquatic life cycle, including underwater pollination.

Last revised
Jul 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
347 w
Citations
14
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Zannichellia
Zannichellia palustris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Potamogetonaceae
Genus: Zannichellia
P.Micheli ex L.
Synonyms1
  • Pelta Dulac
  • Pseudalthenia (Graebn.) Nakai
  • Vleisia Toml. & Posl.

Zannichellia (common name horned pondweed)2 is a genus of submerged aquatic flowering plant,3 with threadlike leaves and tiny flowers.3 It is fully adapted to an aquatic life cycle, including underwater pollination.2

There are perhaps five species, including Zannichellia palustris.4

The genus is named after Gian Girolamo Zannichelli (1662–1729), Italian botanist.

Description

These slender plants grow submerged in water. The leaves are usually oppositely arranged and long and narrow. They have stipular sheaths.5

The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers have a single stamen with a slender filament and anthers that are 2-4-thecous.5

The female flowers have a cup-shaped membranous perianth. There are usually four carpels with a single pendulous ovule in each ovary. The stigma is shield shaped with toothed margins.5

The fruit is usually made of four long, dry achenes. The seeds are pendulous with a sub-cylindric embryo. The cotyledonous end is folded on itself twice.5

Distribution

The species of this genus are widely distributed and are found growing in temperate and tropical regions around the world.56 They grow in brackish and salt water.5

Species

Six species are accepted.1

References

References

  • Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Zannichellia". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2009-02-21.
  1. "Zannichellia P.Micheli ex L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 June 2026.
  2. Robertson Arber, Agnes (2008). Water Plants; A Study of Aquatic Angiosperms. Read Books. ISBN 978-1-4086-5146-9.
  3. Tiner, Ralph W. W. (1993). Field guide to coastal wetland plants of the southeastern United States. Abigail Rorer (Illustrator). University of Massachusetts Press. ISBN 978-0-87023-833-8.
  4. "Zannichellia in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  5. Phillips, Edwin Percy (1951). The genera of South African flowering plants. South Africa: Government Printer.
  6. "Zannichellia". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 2022-11-06.