Narrow-leaved Water-plantain - Alisma lanceolatum

Description

An emergent aquatic plant similar to Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica) but with narrower leaves.  The flowers are often lilac tinged. The inflorescence has whorls of branches, which are again branched.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required showing the leaves, and the flowers if present.

Habitat

Found in shallow water or on exposed mud at the edge of a wide range of water bodies, although in many areas it is particularly frequent in canals.

When to see it

In flower during July and August.

Life History

Perennial.

UK Status

Widespread in England and Wales but less frequent than Water-plantain (Alisma plantago-aquatica).

VC55 Status

Scarce in Leicestershire and Rutland, though it may be under recorded.

It was on the 2011 VC55 Rare Plant Register (Jeeves, 2011) but improved recording since then has meant it is found in more sites than previously thought, so it doesn't meet the criteria for the current RPR (Hall and Woodward, 2022)

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Narrow-leaved Water-plantain, Narrow Water-Plantain
Species group:
Wildflowers
Kingdom:
Plantae
Order:
Alismatales
Family:
Alismataceae
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
22/07/2020 (Pochin, Christine)
Last record:
22/07/2020 (Pochin, Christine)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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