This tiny plant grows mainly in southern Missouri eastward to New York, clipping only a few states here and there. It grows around water in moist soils and indicates native areas.
The Mud Plantain comes in several looks, but it stands out because of the green ring in the center and the tall, thick anthers. Six to eight sharp petals surround them. The stem is long and slender. It trails down through the mud where the whole plant is supported by broad leaves that resemble those of bean plants. These leaves are quite dark in contrast to the rest of the plant.
Scientific name:
Heteranthera reniformis
Family: Pontederiaceae
The photo was taken near Wildcat Park near Saginaw, Mo. A new Audubon Center has been built in the area to recognize the natural glades which line Shoal Creek. The Center provides free information and has worked to improve the local trail systems. I highly recommend going there for a nice weekend trip.
And, if you are coming down Mo 71, then you'll pass Prairie State Park. It is the most accessible prairie in Missouri as far as information and walking is concerned. Other prairies in the state were once private lands turned into roadside stops. I will provide more information in later posts. Here are directions to Prairie State Park.
P.S.
Yes, it is the same plant featured in Victoria's post a few weeks back. We were having a macro-off.
