Alisma plantago-aquatica L., Sp. Pl. 342. 1753. Hook. f., l.c., 559, Collet, Fl. Siml. 545. 1921, Tackholm, Stud. Fl. Egypt 581. 1956, Susan Carter in Hubbard and Milne-Redhead, Fl. Trop. E. Afr. (Alism.) 5. fig. 3. 1960, Clapham et al ,l.c. 933, Dandy in Rech. f., Fl. Iran. 78: 3 t. 2, R.R. Stewart, Ann. Catalogue Vase. Pl. W. Pak. & Kash. 32. 1972.
Abdul Ghafoor
Department of Botany, University of Karachi
An upright, glabrous, emergent or submerged herb. Leaves broadly lanceolate ovate, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, acute acuminate, petiole cylindrical,
Fl. Per.: June-August.
Type: Described from Europe, Herb. Linn. 473.1 (LINN).
B-7 Mardan Dist: Near Takhtbai, Mardan, common in ditches and ponds, M.A. Siddiqui & Y. Nasir 6858 (RAW), Ali Zai Sadda Road, Along borders of Rice fields in water, M.A. Siddiqui & Y. Nasir 6446 (RAW), Gabral, 2300 m. F. Grohman 6260 (RAW) , B-7 Hazara Dist.: Khalabat to Tarbela, Burtt 683 (E), B-8 Kashmir, Bataki-Dhamni, 2800 ft., R.R. Stewart & I.D. Stewart 17367 (RAW), Sind Valley, 6000 ft. R.R. Stewart s.n. (RAW), W. Himalayas, Tons valley, 3000 ft., Duthie s.n. May 1891, (RAW).
Distribution: West Pakistan, India, Burma, Russia, Europe, north and tropical Africa.
Common in ditches, ponds and along borders of rice fields in North Western Frontier Province and Kashmir.
Root powder has been used as a cure for hydrophobia. Acid extract administered for treatment of tetanus, rabies and mammary congestions resulted in complete paralysis of the patient. Fresh leaves are used in homoeopathy. The starch rich rootstock is eaten elsewhere but not in Pakistan.
