Water plantain

Water plantain ( Alisma plantago-aquatica) thrives in the Lambrok’s tributary stream, even in conditions as dry as these.

Its small, pale, three-petalled flowers grow on slender branching stems that radiate out from a tall central stalk. The flowers open in the afternoon and early evening, attracting small flying insects. The leaves are lanceolate (spear-shaped) with parallel veins.

All images by Suzanne Humphries

Water plantain grows in the muddy margins of slow moving streams, where it will survive prolonged hot weather and drought. Its clusters of leaves are important habitat for the flying insects that spend part of their life cycle in the stream.

If you look over the side of the little wooden bridge, there is always water plantain growing at the edges of the pool.

Conservation status: common and widespread.