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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Echinodorus''
| image = Echinodorus isthmicus2.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''[[Echinodorus isthmicus]]''
| name = ''Echinodorus''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Alismatales]]
| familia = [[Alismataceae]]
| genus = '''''Echinodorus'''''
| genus_authority = Richard ex Engelmann in A. Gray, Manual. 460. 1848
}}
'''''Echinodorus''''' is a [[genus]] of aquatic plants found in the western hemisphere, common name: '''burhead'''.

==Origin of name==

''Echinodorus'' is derived from [[Ancient Greek]] ''echius'' – rough husk, and ''doros'' – leathern bottle, alluding to ovaries, which in some species are armed with persistent styles, forming prickly head of fruit.

==Description==

Plants [[Annual plant|annual]] or [[Perennial plant|perennial]], emersed, floating-leaved, or rarely submersed, [[glabrous]] to stellate-pubescent; [[rhizomes]] present or absent; [[stolons]] absent; [[corms]] absent; [[tubers]] absent. [[Root]]s not septate. Leaves [[sessile]] or [[Petiole (botany)|petiolate]]; [[Petiole (botany)|petioles]] triangular, rarely terete; blade with translucent markings as dots or lines present or absent, linear to lanceolate to ovate, base attenuate to cordate, margins entire or undulating, apex obtuse to acute. [[Inflorescences]] [[racemes]] or [[panicles]], rarely umbels, of 1--18 whorls, erect or decumbent, emersed; [[bracts]] coarse, apex obtuse to acute, surfaces smooth or papillose along veins, apex obtuse to acute. [[Flowers]] bisexual, subsessile to pedicellate; [[bracts]] subtending pedicels, subulate to lanceolate, shorter than to longer than pedicels, apex obtuse to acute; pedicels ascending to recurved; receptacle convex; [[sepals]] recurved to spreading, [[herbaceous]] to leathery, sculpturing absent; [[petals]] white, entire; [[stamens]] 9--25; filaments linear, [[glabrous]]; pistils 15--250 or more, spirally arranged on convex receptacle, forming head, distinct; [[ovules]] 1; style terminal or lateral. [[Fruits]] plump, often longitudinally ribbed, sometimes flattened, rarely abaxially keeled, abaxial wings absent, lateral wings absent, glands often present.

==Taxonomy==

Approximately 26 species distributed throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Many species are popular in the [[aquarium]] or [[pond]].
The genus Baldellia seems to be very closely related.
note: in the latest revision by Karl Rataj 62 species, 2 subspecies and 2 varieties are listed. Many cultivars of uncertain taxonomic status are also listed by the [[aquarium]] trade.

==Cultivation==

''Echinodorus'' are by nature marsh and bog plants that can grow submerse. Many species are grown in [[aquariums]]. They prefer good light and grow best in a deep, nutrient-rich [[Substrate (aquarium)|substrate]]. Most will grow in variable water conditions, though the majority need tropical or sub-tropical temperature ranges. Propagation is by division or by new plants developing on submerged flowering stems. The larger species make magnificent specimen plants for the larger aquarium, though they may form aerial leaves in good conditions. If the [[infloresence]] forms submerse small plantlets will form instead of flowers. If grown emerse and kept humid, flowers and seeds will normally readily form. The seeds can be grown in damp sand in warm, damp conditions. Additional CO2 often helps in strong growth.

The Amazon Sword Plants are one of the most popular [[aquarium]] plants for their attractive form and general hardiness.

==Species==

*''[[Echinodorus angustifolius]]''
*''[[Echinodorus argentinensis]]''
*''[[Echinodorus aschersonianus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus berteroi]]''
*''[[Echinodorus bleheri]]''
*''[[Echinodorus bracteatus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus cordifolius]]''
*''[[Echinodorus horizontalis]]''
*''[[Echinodorus tunicatus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus longiscapus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus macrophyllus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus nymphaeifolius]]''
*''[[Echinodorus opacus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus osiris]]''
*''[[Echinodorus ovalis]]''
*''[[Echinodorus subalatus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus tenellus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus trialatus]]''
*''[[Echinodorus uruguayensis]]''
*''[[Echinodorus virgatus]]''

==External links==
* [http://www.echinodorus-online.de/English/Genus/genus.html ''Echinodorus'']
* [http://www.webcityof.com/apleaec.htm ''Echinodorus'' - master list]
* [http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/echinodorus.htm Swordplants]
* [http://www.mn-aquarium.org/masartaf.htm The Amazon Swordplant - Orgins, Identification and Care]
* [http://home10.inet.tele.dk/sveri/menu/plant-fe.html ''Echinodorus'' species]

==References==
* Fassett, N. C. 1955. ''Echinodorus'' in the American tropics.
* Rhodora 57: 133-156, 174-188, 202-212.
* Haynes, R. R. and L. B. Holm-Nielsen. 1986. Notes on ''Echinodorus'' (Alismataceae).
* Brittonia 38: 325-332.
* Rataj, K. 1975. Revizion [sic] of the Genus ''Echinodorus'' Rich. Prague.
* Rataj, K. 2004. A New Revision of the Swordplant genus ''Echinodorus''
* Richard, 1848 (Alismataceae).
* Aqua, Special Publication no. 1, March 2004.
* [http://www.unh.edu/herbarium/CostaRica/alisma.html Manual de Plantas de Costa Rica]

[[Category:Alismatales]]
[[Category:Root vegetables]]

Echinodorus - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 06:07, 1 September 2007