Common Waterwort, Vernal water-starwort
Callitriche palustris

Family: Callitrichaceae

What it is like

Callitriche palustris is an evergreen Perennial growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Water. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Springheads, rills, quiet waters and wet shores in northern N. America.

Most of Europe, but extinct in Britain, most of N. America and Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Plant - boiled and seasoned.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

A water plant, it should be allowed to root into the soil at the bottom of the pond or be grown in a pot in the pond. This species is an excellent oxygenator of the water and a good food source for fish. It provides a good habitat for wildlife in the pond, the leaves holding spawn well. This species belongs to one of only two known dicot genera where pollination taks place under water. Plants remain active all winter.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no details on this species but would suggest that the seed will be best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in a pot standing in about 5cm of water. It is quite likely that the seed has a short viability, especially if it is allowed to become dry. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings can be taken at any time in the growing season. They root easily, even if just placed in a pot of water.

Best place to grow: Pond;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. verna. L. C. vernalis.