Entry for Hydrothauma manicatum C.E. Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 10, Part 3, (1989) Author: W. D. Clayton
Names
Hydrothauma manicatumC.E. Hubbard [family GRAMINEAE], in Ic. Pl. (Hook.) 35: t. 3458 (1947). TAB 10. Type: Zambia, Mwinilunga Distr., Matonchi Farm, Milne-Redhead 4625 (K, holotype).
Information
Aquatic annual. Culms 10–100 cm. long. Leaf laminae floating, the inferior on long false petioles, the superior surface raised into sinuous longitudinal lamellae. Spikelets 1.8–2.5 mm. long, narrowly ovate.
Habitat
Shallow pools on rock and ironstone outcrops
Altitude range
1200–1400 m.
1400
1200
Distribution
Zambia N Kasama, 1.iii.1960. Richards 12674(K).Zambia W Kalene Hill, 16.iv.1965, Robinson 6591 (K).
Distribution (external)
Zaire
Notes
The strange leaf lamellae presumably improve buoyancy by entrapping air bubbles. The culm and false petiole contain air canals.
