About Rotala ramosior (L.) Koehne
Taxonomy and Common Name
Rotala ramosior (L.) Koehne is a species of flowering plant in the loosestrife family, commonly called lowland rotala.
Native Range and Habitat
It is an aquatic or semiaquatic plant native to North America, where it grows in lakes, streams, and irrigation ditches.
Stem Characteristics
Its branching stems reach approximately 40 cm in length.
Leaf Arrangement
The leaves are decussate, arranged oppositely in perpendicular pairs along the stems.
Leaf Shape and Size
They range in shape from linear to lance-shaped to oval, and grow up to 5 cm long.
Flower Placement
Flowers grow singly in the leaf axils.
Flower Morphology
Each flower has triangular sepals with long, narrow appendages, and usually four tiny petals that come in shades from pink to white.
Human Use
This plant is sometimes cultivated in aquariums.
