Lesser waterplantain

Description

Baldellia is a genus of low-growing aquatic plants found in Western, Central, and Southern Europe, as well as Northern Africa. Two to three groups are recognized: Baldellia ranunculoides ssp. ranunculoides, B. ranunculoides ssp. repens, and B. alpestris. The emersed form of the lesser water-plantain has lanceolate leaves with umbellate inflorescences bearing white to pale violet flowers. In submersed cultivation, it forms narrow, lineal leaves with an acute tip. Baldellia ranunculoides ssp. repens grows runners with modified inflorescences, while B. ranunculoides ssp. ranunculoides forms leaf rosettes without runners. The plant can tolerate coldwater tanks and temperatures up to 20°C.