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Perennial herb; rhizome slender, 0.5–2 mm in diameter with 1–2(–3) roots and a prophyllum or leaf at each node; stems of leafy branches arising from axils of rhizomatic leaves, with 2–5 leaves; stems of fertile branches developing from lateral branches, 0.5–10(–25) cm high, with 1–7 spathes.. Leaves dark green, 2–30(–135) cm long, 0.5–2.5 mm wide, 3-nerved with 2–4 accessory bundles in between, the midrib widening at apex, apex asymmetrically rounded, eventually emarginate; sheath membranous, 1–5(–7) cm long, open, with membranous flaps, more enveloping proximally, biauriculate, 3-nerved.. Spathes pedunculate, the peduncle connate with the stem axis for up to 3.5 cm, free for 1.4–3.3 cm; prophyll 1–2.5 cm long, 1.5–2.5 mm wide; spathe-sheath 0.8–2.5 cm long, 1.5–2.5 mm wide, amplexicaul; spathe-blade to 6.5(–10) cm long, deciduous after flowering; spadix 1–1.5 cm long, 1–3 mm wide, with 6–10 flowers, the retinacula obovate to triangular, 0.5–1.5 mm long, 0.5–1 mm wide.. Stamens shed after liberation of pollen.. Pistillate flowers with ovary 1–2 mm long, style 1–1.5 mm long, stigmatic arms 1.5 mm long.. Fruit indehiscent, yellowish brown, narrowly ovoid, 2–2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, faintly 20–24-striate; seed ellipsoid, flattened at one end, 2–2.5 mm long, with reddish brown testa.. Fig. 1.
Perennial herb, hydrophyte, rosulate, 0.38-1.15 m high; rhizome creeping, roots simple, densely covered with long root hairs. Leaves convolute, linear, usually 100-300 x 1-2 mm, margins and midribs distinct, apex obtuse to acute, sometimes slightly emarginate. Spathes flattened, with folded membranous margins. Inflorescence with 3-5 female and 3-5 male flowers. Stamens with oblong-ellipsoid thecae. Ovary cylindrical, 1-2 mm long. Flowering time all year. Seeds ellipsoid, with short beak at one end; testa shiny, reddish brown, striate.
Submerged, mat-forming marine perennial to 12 cm. Leaves 2-4 in fascicles, linear. Flowers inconspicuous.
