Callitriche palustris

Callitriche palustris, commonly known as water starwort, is a small aquatic plant belonging to the family Plantaginaceae. It thrives in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams across Europe and North America. The plant features a slender stem that can grow up to 30 cm in length, with opposite leaves that are either linear or lanceolate in shape. Typically, the leaves are less than 1 cm long and have a distinctive translucent appearance due to air-filled spaces between the cells. Water starwort serves as a crucial food source for aquatic insects like midges and mayflies. Additionally, it provides shelter for small fish species such as minnows and sticklebacks. Thanks to its rapid nutrient absorption capabilities, it is often used in phytoremediation projects aimed at enhancing water quality. In traditional European medicine, Callitriche palustris has been utilized for its diuretic properties, believed to aid kidney function by increasing urine production. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited. Overall, Callitriche palustris plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. It provides nourishment for aquatic organisms and helps improve water quality through its nutrient absorption, making it an essential component of our ecosystem today.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial, Annual

Genus

Callitriche

Family

Plantaginaceae

Hardiness Zone

5-9

Mature Height

40 cm

Mature Spread

10 cm to 20 cm

Leaf Color

Light Green, Pale Green

Leaf Type

Semi-evergreen

Flower Size

0.10 cm to 0.20 cm

Bloom Time

Mid spring, Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer

Planting Time

Spring

Harvest Time

Summer, Early fall

Native Area

Turkey, Sweden, India, Austria, Mexico, Slovakia, Madagascar, Pakistan, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Germany, Iceland, Estonia, Koppen, Romania, Latvia, Belgium, Netherlands, Nepal, France, Tajikistan, Czech Republic, Armenia, Poland, Greece, Ukraine, Serbia, China, Lithuania, Norway, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan, Mongolia, Finland, Bhutan, Iran, Albania, Azerbaijan, United Kingdom, Hungary

Tags (4)

Common Names (15)