Water Ribbons - native (Cycnogeton procerum (R.Br.) Buchenau)

Family: Juncaginaceae.

Native of Eastern Australia.

Occurrence: Widespread and common in permanent water, including streams and lakes. It also is found in intermittent streams and occasional lakes.

Identification:

• the leaves are long and strap shaped and grow from the base of the plant
• the lower parts of the leaves are usually immersed in water, and the upper part of the leaves float on the water surface
• the flowers are in stout spikes, held well above the water.

This is a variable species. It can be distinguished from similar water plants with strap-shaped leaves by the stout flower spike, and the floating leaves.

Photo 1: Water Ribbons in flower. Kangaroo Track, Fryers Ridge.
2: Water Ribbons on Laanecoorie Reservoir. 3: Castlemaine Botanic Gardens. 4: Lake Wendouree.