Heteranthera limosa

Species category

Weed

Common name

blue mudplantain, ducksalad, mud plantain

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 0.6–0.8 mm 
  • Width 0.4–0.5 mm 
  • Thickness 0.4–0.5 mm 

Color

Gray with white ribs

Texture

ReticulatedReticulated:
Resembling a net or network, especially having veins, fibers, or lines crossing the surface.  
finely between large ribs

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
raised and black.

Identification notes

Ribs are strong and longitudinally spaced.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Pontederiaceae

Valid name

Heteranthera limosa (Sw.) Willd.

Synonyms

Pontederia limosa Sw.

 Heteranthera limosa.  Seeds with strong, longitudinally spaced ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Heteranthera limosa. Seeds with strong, longitudinally spaced ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Heteranthera limosa.  Seeds are finely reticulated between the large ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Heteranthera limosa. Seeds are finely reticulated between the large ribs. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Heteranthera limosa.  Raised black hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Heteranthera limosa. Raised black hilum. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.