Cryptocoryne spiralis

Cryptocoryne spiralis is a plant species belonging to the Araceae genus Cryptocoryne.

Cryptocoryne spiralis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Alismatales
Family:	Araceae
Genus:	Cryptocoryne
Species:	C. spiralis
Binomial name
Cryptocoryne spiralis (Retz.) Fisch. ex Wydler (1830)

Distribution

Endemic to India.^[1]

Leaf morphology

Leaves are lanceolate and extremely variable, some variations are red stems, furrows in leaf margins, pure green forms.^{[citation needed]}

Cryotocorne spiralis var. sprialis growing submerged; this variety has red stems and furrowed leaves

Inflorescence

The flower of C. spiralis is within a spathe which is curled clockwise, a distinctive feature of this species.^{[citation needed]}

Spathe of C. spiralis var. sprialis

Rhizome

Cryotocorne sprialis stores nutrients in underground rhizome, during the dry season when the marshes dry out, plant survives by losing all its leaves and becoming dormant. Next season when the rains come the rhizome sprouts new leaves.^{[citation needed]}

Rhizome of C. sprialis

References

1. Cook, CDK (1996) Aquatic and Wetland Plants of India: A reference Book and Identification Manual for the Vascular Plants Found in Permanent or Seasonal Fresh water in the Subcontinent of India South of the Himalayas. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 385 pp.

External links

• Nonindigenous Aquatic Species USA