| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Potamogetonaceae
Family Common Name: Pondweed Family
Genera: Potamogeton |
Defining Features: This family
has prominent ligules sheathing the stem at the leaf base, but differs
from the Juncaginaceae most obviously by the shape of the leaf and that
the ligule is more stipule-like in this family.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Actinomorphic and perfect. Inflorescence an axillary or terminal
fleshy spike. Placentation is basal to apical. Ovaries are superior. Fruit
and Seed Features: Fruit an achene or drupe. Seeds with endosperm lacking.
Vegetative Features: Habit is as aquatic perennial herbs in fresh or brackish
water. Leavers are simple, entire and alternate (rarely opposite or whorled).
Leaves may be submerged or floating and have a stipule like sheathing at
the base.
Distribution: Cosmopolitan.
Economic Use: Aquatic plants.
Number of Genera Globally:
1
Number of Species Globally:
100
