Alisma
(from alis, the Celtic word for water). Water Plantain. SYN. Actinocarpus. ORD. Alismaceae. A genus entirely composed of hardy aquatic species. Flowers three-petaled. Leaves parallel-veined. Increased by division or seeds. The latter should be sown in a pot immersed in water, filled with loam, peat, and sand, and the former root freely in a moist loamy soil. The British species are most easily grown.
A. natans (floating).* fl. white; peduncles simple. July. l. elliptical-obtuse; stem ones floating, on long stalks, scarcely nerved; those at the base of the plant are long, linear-lanceolate, membranous scales, or abortive root leaves. North Wales and Cumberland, but very rare; abundant in other parts of Europe.
A. Plantago (plantain).* fl. delicate pale rose coloured; scape branched upwards. July. l. ovate, acute, all radical, on long stalks; branches all whorled, bracteated, compound. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Britain. A very handsome aquatic for naturalising.
A. P. lanceolata (lance-shaped leaved). fl. pure white. July. l. lanceolate. Britain.
A. ranunculoides (Ranunculus-like). In general appearance very like the last named species, but smaller. Britain.