Damasonium minus
Star Fruit
Annual tufted emergent herb
Additional information
- FamilyAlismataceae
- StoreyLower storey
- Sizeto 0.5 m high
- Plant groupingAquatic & Semi aquatic
- LeavesNarrowly egg-shaped leaves 1.5-10 cm x 1-40 mm on long stalks either floating or emergent, standing erect. Leaf base is straight.
- Flower colourGreen-white to pink
- Flowering timeOctober to July
- FlowersTerminal bunches of tiny flowers in 1 or more distant rings of 3-12 flowers, on flowering stems above the leaves. Fruit is star-shaped with 6-10 triangular sections. Long flowering.
- Bird attractingNo
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatYes
- Growing conditionsAquatic or semi-aquatic in shallow water of swamps and lakes. Full sun, semi shade. Very limited distribution within the Shire.
- Garden usePonds, where it can become perennial forming large colonies.
- Commercially availableNever
- Conservation statusSignificant within the Shire. Known only from the Yellingbo area. Scattered in Victoria, especially along the Murray River.
- Related speciesSimilar to Alisma plantago-aquatica which is more common. Alisma has broader leaves which are tapered at the base. Fruit has rounded sections like a mandarin.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: Richard Hartland ©
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