Aponogeton is the only genus of 45-50 species of flowering plants in the family Aponogetonaceae. The species are fully aquatic plants, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Many species grow in temporarily still or flowing waters and live through the dry period as a dormant tuber. Most Asian species remain submerged all year round, whereas the tubers of the African species are able to survive the dry season by shedding their leaves and undergoing a dormant period.
Aponogeton crispus is native to Sri Lanka in southeastern Asia, where it usually occurs in seasonal ponds, becoming dormant in the dry season. It is also found in still and running waters. It is a submerged aquatic plant with a round rhizome 2–3 cm in diameter.
Aponogeton distachyos is a fresh water aquatic perennial with tuberous roots and floating oval leaves native to South Africa. It has sweetly scented white flowers used in cooking. This species is now invasive in s. Australia, w. South America and w. Europe. Photo 1 was taken by Alan Horstmann and photo 2 was taken by Nhu Nguyen at the UC Botanical Garden.
