Definition
Ammannia baccifera is a species of flowering plant in the family Lythraceae. It is an herbaceous, typically aquatic or semi‑aquatic plant found in wet habitats.
Overview
The species is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of southern China. It grows in shallow water, marshes, paddy fields, and along the margins of ponds and streams. In some areas it is considered a weed of rice cultivation, while in others it is used in traditional medicine. The plant exhibits a rapid growth habit and can form dense mats in suitable environments.
Etymology / Origin
The generic name Ammannia honors German botanist Paul Ammann (1653–1725). The specific epithet baccifera is derived from Latin, where bacca means “berry” and ‑fera means “bearing”; thus baccifera translates to “bearing berries,” referring to the plant’s small, fleshy fruit.
Characteristics
- Growth form: Annual or short‑lived perennial herb, reaching 30–70 cm in height. Stems are slender, erect to prostrate, and often reddish‑tinged.
- Leaves: Opposite, narrow‑lanceolate to linear, 2–8 cm long, sessile, with an entire margin. Leaves are typically glabrous or sparsely pubescent.
- Inflorescence: Terminal or axillary cymes bearing several small white to pale pink flowers.
- Flowers: Bisexual, consisting of four to five sepals and an equal number of petals, each about 2–3 mm long. Stamens are usually eight, and the ovary is superior.
- Fruit: A capsule that matures into small, globular, berry‑like structures containing numerous tiny seeds; the fruit is the basis for the epithet baccifera.
- Ecology: Tolerant of a wide range of water depths and occasional flooding. The plant can reproduce both sexually via seed and vegetatively through stem fragments.
Related Topics
- Genus Ammannia – a group of approximately 60–70 aquatic and semi‑aquatic species worldwide.
- Family Lythraceae – a family of flowering plants that includes loosestrife and crape myrtle species.
- Wetland vegetation – plants adapted to saturated soils and standing water, often playing roles in water filtration and habitat provision.
- Rice cultivation weeds – species such as Ammannia baccifera that can impact rice yields and are subject to management practices.
Note: While the general description of Ammannia baccifera is based on established botanical literature, detailed information on its pharmacological properties and regional uses may vary and is not fully corroborated in the scientific record.