Ethnobotanical
Leaflets 11: 247-257. 2007. Aquatic
Plants of District Dera Ismail Sarfaraz Khan Marwat, Mir Ajab Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Muhammad Zafar
and Shazia Sultana Department of Plant Sciences, mirajab@qau.edu.pk Issued ABSTRACT In
this taxonomic account 18 aquatic plants, which are reported for the first
time from Dera Ismail
Khan District are presented. The species were Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.)
DC., Azolla pinnata R.
Br., Bacopa moneiri (Linn.) Pennell., Ceratophyllum demersum Linn., Eleocharis palustris
(Linn.) R. Brown., Hydrilla verticillata
Royle., Marselia quadrifolia Linn.,Nelumbium nelumbo (Linn.) Druce., Nymphoide cristata Roxb.) O.Ketze., Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin., Pistia stratiotes
Linn., Polygonum barbatum Linn; Polygonum flaccidum Meissn.,
Potammogeton crispus
Linn., Potamogeton nodosus Poiret, Spirodela polyrrhiza (Linn.) Schield, Typha domenginsis Pers., Typha elephantia Roxb. Key words: Aquatic Plants and Dera
Ismail Khan Pakistan. INTRODUCTION Dera Ismail Khan is the southern most district of N.W.F.P.
lying between 31.15 and 32.32 north latitude and 70.11 and 71.20 east
longitude with an elevation of 600 meters from the sea level. It has a total
geographical land of 0.896 million hectares (2214060 acres) out of which
0.300 m.ha. (741315 acres) is cultivated (Khan,
2000). The only hills, within the district, are those of A diversity of aquatic plants is necessary in water-
ways for preventing excessive erosion and turbidity, and for maintaining the
delicate nutrient balance in water, hydro-soil and plants. Pond
side vegetation provides habitat for water fowl, cover for certain species of
fish, and increases the density of planktons, the basis of fish production. The aquatic plants are of various types, some are
rooted in bottom and are emergent, and others are submerged. Still others are
free floating, and some are rooted on the bank of the impoundments, adopting
semi aquatic habitat. Some of the plants have a profuse growth pattern,
propagate with such rapidity, and infestation is so high that unless timely
action is taken it is extremely difficult to keep them under control. It has
been observed that in some cases the growth is so luxuriant and thick that
weeds occupy the entire water surface. Some aquatic weeds are quite useful, particularly for aquatic
animals, like fishes. If not profusely grown some weeds serve as food to the
fish, source of oxygen for respiration and provide protection against hot and
cold weather. This is the case where the weeds have not densely grown and
leave certain areas for fishes to propagate. In case of highly infested areas
hardly any wildlife of importance exists. Submerged pond vegetation is
normally beneficial to the growth of fish in maintenance of healthy aquatic
life. The aquatic vegetation is of different types. Some are very minute,
while others have well differentiated parts with big herbaceous leaves of
different shapes. In order to distinguish between one weed from the other it
necessary to the scientific names of such plants. In this short paper to
distinguish one plant from another and to achieve the object a field key has
been included. This is to enable the person concerned to recognize the
imported aquatic plants. To make it more useful of each plant is given and
some photographs have also been provided (Ahmad, 1979). MATERIALS Materials: The equipments used during the research work, were previous
literature, maps, pencil, rubber, field note book, scale, polythene bags, old
newspapers, blotting papers, camera, color films etc. Methods: The method included the following
steps: 1. Collection and
preservation of plants: Frequent field trips of the area
were conducted. Throughout the field trips general collection of plants were
made. Blotting papers & old newspapers a plant presser were used for the
preservation of the specimens. Newspapers were changed from time to time. The
fully dried specimens were poisoned and then mounted on the herbarium sheets. Identification and voucher specimens: Plants were identified with the help of previous literature
(e.g. Fl. Pak., Fl. Kar., Aq.Pl. Lhr. etc.). Confirmation of plants
were done by comparing with the already identified specimens of the
herbarium, 1.
+Plants fixed, rooted in the bed of water bodies (i.e.
pond, irrigation channels etc.).-------------- 2 -Plants not fixed, rootless or with
roots, free floating or
submerged-------------------------------------------- 12 2.
+Plants completely submerged.----------------
3 3.
Plants not completely
submerged.------------ 4 4.
+Leaves opposite or whorled, small, less than
2.5 cm. long.----------------------- Hydrilla verticillata -Leaves alternate,
2.5-10 cm long, broadly linear to oblong.---------------------------- Potamogeton crispus 5.
+Plants with well developed leaves ----------- 5 -Leaves reduced to sheaths --- Eleocharis palustris 6.
+Stem compressed rhizomatous-----------------6 7.
-Stem well
developed.--------------------------- 8 8.
+Leaves peltate; flower solitary,
torus 5-10 cm in diameter----------------------Nelumbium nelumbo -Leaves linear, spongy in texture, up
to 3 meter high; flower unisexual, torus not present----------------- 7 9.
+Leaves semi-cylindrical above the sheathing base
--------------------------- Typha domingensis -Leaves trigonous
above the sheathing base angularly keeled dorsally-------Typha elephantia 10.
+Stem erect-----------------------------------------9 -Stem more or less spreading
--------------- 11 11.
+Leaves sheathed, lamina elongated; infl.
terminal, panicle------------ Phragmites karka -Leaves not sheathed, ochreate; infl. Spike---- 10 12.
+ Ochrea smooth or minutely
hairy; flowers 2-3 styled; nut flattened in 2-styled fl. And trigonous in 3-styled fl.-------------- Polygonnum flaccidum -Ochrea ciliate, cilia upto
2cm.long; fl. 3-styled; nut trigonous.----------------------------Polygonum barbatum 11 +Infl.
heads of white flowers, sessile
---------------------------------------------------------Alternanthera sessilis. -Flowers white ,solitory,
pedicillate, axillary. ---------------------------------------------------------
Bacopa moneiri 12
+Roots or root like structures present. --------- 13 -Roots or
root like structure not present
-----------------------------------------------------Ceratophyllum demersum. 13
+Leaves tufted. Plants float freely on the surface of
water------------------------------------------- 14 -Leaves
not tufted. ------------------------------
16 14.
+Flowering plants. ------------------------------- 15 -Non- Flowering plants.-------------- Azolla pinnata 15
+Plants with a rosette of leaves, forming a cup shaped structure
------------------Pistia stratiotes -Plants without a rossete of leaves, very small in the form of
fronds.----------Spirodela polyrrhiza 16
+Leaves simple; flowering
plants.------------ 17 -Leaves tetrafoliate;
non-flowering plants ------------------------------------------------------ Marselia quadrifolia 17 +Leaves orbiccular,
cordate at the
base----------------------------------------------------------------- Nymphoides cristata -Leaves not orbicular, elliptic-oblong
-------------------------------------------------------Potamogeton nodosus AIZOACEAE Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) DC. (Syn:
Gomphrena sessilis Linn.). Annual, or usually
perennial, marginal weed rooted in the mud, submerged, floating or prostrate
herb. Stem with cluster of whitish rootlets at the nodes, more or less fistular with numerous lateral branches, green or
purplish. Leaves opposite, shortly petiolate,
1-5cm. long, 3-20mm. broad, linear-oblong, lanceolate
or elliptic, blunt to shortly acuminate, glabrous or thinly pilose on the lower surface of the midrib. Inflorescence
sessile, axillary, solitary or in clusters of up to
5 subglobose heads. Flowers sessile, shining. Perianth segments 5, white, oval-elliptic, acuminate,
equal. Stamens 5, Ovary compressed; style short. Fruit cordate
or cordate-orbicular. Seeds discoid, brown,
shining. Fl. Per.: Almost throughout the year. Local Distribution: Common in damp places, irrigation channels, Dappan Wali Basthi, 6.5.2005 (voucher no.33). General Distribution:
Wide spread in tropical and subtropical regions. ARACEAE Pistia stratiotes Linn. A perennial, stem less, stoloniferous, free floating herb bearing a tuft of
rosette form of leaves. Leaves light green, sessile, roundish
or spathulate, up to 10cm. long, the outer of which
lie on the water while the inner stand erect. Stolons
grow out from the leaf axils which give rise vegetative to new plants.
Inflorescence a spadix, subtended by a yellowish -
green spathe, 1.5 cm. long, monoecious
consisting of male flowers above female flowers below. The male flower has
only 2 stamens; the flower has an ovary from a single carpel, there is no perianth. Fruit small, globose;
seeds oval, 10 - 20 in each fruit.
Fl. Per.: Local Distribution:Common in
ponds near Dhappan Wali Basti about 1kilometer eastward, in the river
bed, 28.8.2005 (voucher specimen
no.632). General Distribution: CERATOPHYLLACEAE Ceratophyllum demersum Linn. Perennial, much branched,
rootless, free floating, submerged, aquatic herb, up to 60cm. or more long.
Leaves whorled, 1-4 times dichotomously branched, deep green to pale brown in
colour, rough to touch, minutely toothed at
irregular intervals, often terminated by 1or 2 sharp bristles. Flowers
minute, solitary, axillary, unisexual, male and
female flowers at different nodes. Perianth
segments 6-15, each segment terminated by 2 bristles. Stamens 8-30, spirally
arranged on a convex receptacle. Carpel one, sessile, ovary 1-celled,
1-ovuled. Fruit a small nutlet, ovoid, compressed,
provided with 3 spines. Fl.
Per.: March - June. Local Distribution: Very common in water canal near Awan Petrol Pump, on D. I. Khan Pahar Pur road,
18.9.2005 (voucher no. 749). General Distribution:Cosmopolitan. CYPERACEAE Eleocharis palustris (Linn.) R. Brown. (Syn:
Scirpus palustris Linn.) Perennial herb, with
creeping rhizome. Aerial stem 9-26cm. long, terete.
Leaves reduced to sheaths; sheath up to 5cm. long with truncate mouth,
reddish brown. Spikelets 8-22mm. long, ovoid-
oblong, sterile glumes 2x1.5mm., obtuse, each glume
surrounding one-half of the spikelet at the base;
fertile glumes 3-3.5 x 1.5-2mm, ovate - lanceolate,
obtuse, membranous, margin hyaline; keel green; perianth
bristles 4 in number, unequal in length retrorsely scabrid; stamens 3; style 2-branched, villous, style base
swollen and persistent. Nut obovoid, compressed,
smooth, brown at maturity. Fl. & Fr.: 4 - 6. Described from Local Distribution:Very common in Badri Dam (large pond like body) at General Distribution:
Temperate and Subtropical regions Northern Hemisphere. HYDROCHARITACEAE Hydrilla verticillata Royle. Perennial, a leafy submerged
fresh water dioecious herb, forming large masses,, rooted
at the nodes in the pond bed; roots fibrous in clusters, Stem slender, soft, filiform with many branches and distinct nodes and
internodes. Leaves small1.5-2cm. long, 2.5-5mm. broad, sessile, in whorl of
3-8, oblong, olong-linear, entire or serrulate, apex acute. Leaf form, number of leaves per
node, and general appearance of the plant vary in dafferent
bodies of water. Flowers very small, dioecious.
Male flowers perianth
6, stamens 3. Female flower perianth 6, small, stigma 3, style long, ovary elongated,
half inferior, produced behind the spathe. Fl. Per.: September -
March. Local Distribution: Common in still and slowly running
water in irrigation channels about 2 kilometers to north of the Mandra Kalan, 25.5.2005 (voucher no. 335). General Distribution: LEMNACEAE Spirodela polyrrhiza (Linn.) Schleid. (Syn: Lemna polyrrhiza Linn.) Annual. A small, free floating
herb; plant body not differentiated into stem and leaves; fronds orbicular-
ovate, 3 - 10 cm. long, asymmetrical, obtuse or rounded at the apex, entire,
3-15-veined, green above usually purplish beneath. Roots 3-18 per frond.
Flowers in small pockets on the margin of fronds, usually 2male and female
together enclosed in a transitory membranous spathe,
bilipped. Stamens 2. Local Distribution:Very common in ponds near Dhappan Wali Basti, 1kilometer east
ward in river bed, 28.5.2005(voucher
specimen no. 634). General Distribution:Tropical MARSILEACEAE Marsilea quadrifoliata
Linn. Perennial, rooted at the
bottom of the soil. Rhizomatous, leafy, heterosporous
floating fern. Roots adventitious arising from the stout rhizome. Stem filiform, spreading onthe
surface of water. Leaf with 10-20cm. long petiole projecting above water;
leaflets 4, sessile, deep green; young leaves arising from the rhizome are circinate. Sporocarp reniform, produced on a short stalk at the axil of leaf.
Plant produces sporocarp in winter months. Local Distribution: Very common in water channels. Jhoke Qureshian on way to Bhakkar, 12.5.2005(v.no.98). General Distribution:
Cosmopolitan. MENYANTHACEAE Nymphoides cristata (Roxb.)
O. Ketze. (Syn:Menyanthes cristata Roxb. ) Annual, with long floating
stem, rooting at the nodes. leaves floating, lamina, broad, orbicular, cordate at base, with dense brown glands on the under
surface, margin entire or wavy, petiole long. Inflorescence an axillary in umbellate clusters. Flowers white,
pedicel 0.5-5cm. long. Calyx deeply
5-lobed, oblong, rounded. Corolla deeply 5-lobed. Stamens 5. Ovary unilocular, superior. Capsule ellipsoid, 10- 20. Seeded tuberculate.
Fl. Per.: March - June. Type: Described from Local Distribution:Common in water channels 2kilometer to
the north of the Mandra kalan, 21.9.2005(v.no.758). General Distribution: NYMPHAEACEAE Nelumbium nelumbo (Linn.) Druce. Perennial, large herb, with
milky latex; rooted in the pond bed. Leaves long petioled,
arise from the rhizomes and possess large, broad and floating lamina, peltate; petiole long smooth or with scattered prickles.
Flowers 10-25cm. in diameter, rose red or white, above water, bisexual;
sepals 4-5, caducous; petals hypogynous,
many seriate, caducous; stamens numerous; anther
with club shaped appendages; carpel many; fruiting carpel ovoid loose in the
cavities of the enlarged spongy receptacle, 1-seeded; fruiting torus 5-10cm. in diameter. Fl. Per.: September - November. Local Distribution: Found in standing water, 2 kilometer from Qureshi More on way to Bhakkar,
21.9.2005(v.no.757). General Distribution:
north Temperate Zone, POACEAE Phragmites karka (Retz.)
Trin. (Syn: Arundo karka Rezt.) Perennial reed, with creeping
rhizomes.Culms erect, up to 10meter high.
Leaf-blades 30-80 cm.long and 12-40mm wide,
glabrous, rough to the touch beneath, the tips attenuate and stiff. Panicle
30-50 cm long, the lowest node often many branched in a whorl, the branches
bare of spikelets for some distance from their
base. Spikelets 9-12 mm long lower glume just over half as long as the upper. Fl. Per.:
April - November. Type: Local Distribution: Common in water canal
near Awan Petrol Pump, on D.I.Khan-
Pahar Pur road, 21.9.2005
(v. no. 736). General
Distribution: POLYGONACEAE Polygonum barbatum Linn. An erect, annual herb;
stem withe striate internodes. Ochreae
0.6 -1.3cm.long, brownish, tubular, strigose,
ciliate, cilia 0.7 - 1.9 cm. long, longer than the tube. Leaves sessile or subsessile, 2.5-14.5 x 0.5-2cm, lanceolate
to linear - lanceolate, entire, acuminate, margin
and midrib ciliate on the underside.Inflorescence a
spicate raceme; peduncle up to ca. 10 cm long,
glabrous. Flowers sessile, bracteate.Perianth
segments 5. Stamens 5. Style 3. Nut trigonous. Fl. Per.: Almost throughout the year. Quite common near water. Local Distribution:Paniala, 15.52005 (voucher no. 129); Mochi Wala,
13.5.2005(voucher no. 118). General Distribution:
Tropical Polygonum
flaccidum Meissn. Annual, a medium-sized herb. Stem
erect, sometimes prostrate, rooting at the joints, often glandular; joints
often swollen; branched. Leaves 5-11 cm., lanceolate
or oblong-lanceolate, apex pointed, midrib with
minute hairs; stipules 1cm., tubular, swollen near the middle, fringed with
short bristles. Flowers pink or red, in very slender, 5-8 cm. long racemes;
calyx 5, segmented, glandular; stamens 6; style 2-3, free; nuts circular and
flattened in 2-styled flowers, and 3-angled in 3-styled flowers. Fl. Per.:
March - October. Local Distribution: Found in water pond
near Dappan Wali Basti, 14.9.2005 (voucher no. 723 ). General Distrbution: Tropical POTAMOGETNACEAE Potamogeton
nodosus Poiret (Syn: Potamogeton indicus
auct. non. Roth.) Perennial,
rhizomatous, aquatic herb.Stem terete,
branched, leafy. Leaves heterophyllous, submerged
leaves petiolate, lanceolate
or broadly lanceolate-oblong, thin, translucent,
6-10.5cm. long; floating leaves, broadly ovate, elliptic, corcious,
of firm texture, 4-16cm. long, 2-5cm broad, entire. Stipule free, keeled, lanceolate. Spikes, cylindric,
4.5- 11cm. long; peduncle 7-11cm long. Flowers in whorls, sessile, small. Perianth segments small, obtuse. Fruitlets
shortly beaked, spongy, ventral margins convex. Fl. Per.: April - August. Type: Caranary islands, Broussonet. Local Distribution:Common in Badri Dam (large pond ) at General Distribution:Warmer regions of Potamogeton crispus Linn. Perennial,
submerged, rhizomatous aquatic herb, rooted in bed. Stem slender, compressed.
Leaves submerged, sessile, broadly linear to oblong, undulate, translucent,
3-5 veined, usually obtuse, 4-8 mm. broad. stipules free. Spike 5-8cm. long,
ovoid-oblong, lax. Fruitlets 4-5mm. long, 2.5-3 mm. broad, ovoid,
beaked, decurrent. Fl.
Per.: Plant flowers in March - April. Type: ''Habitat in Europae fossis &rivulis''. Local Distribution:Found in Badri Dam ( Large pond like body ) at General
Distribution: SALVINIACEAE Azolla
pinnata R. Br. Free floating, heterosporous, small aquatic fern. Roots few, fibrous.
Stem branched; the whole plant appears to be triangular in shape. Frond
oblong, 1.2-1.9cm., with many crowded branches. Leaves sessile, very small,
2mm. in diameter, more or less alternate, tapeziform,
lobes firm in texture, dark green. When the plant matures, it looks like
reddish-brown and sometimes brownish. Sporocarp
arises between the roots. Local Distribution: Common in water canal
near Awan Petrole Pump c. 30kilometer from D.I.Khan
towards north-east, General
Distribution: SCROPHULARIACEAE Bacopa moneiri (Linn.) Pennell (Syn: Lysimachia monnieri Linn.) A glabrous, somewhat succulent,
creeping perennial herb; stems 10-30cm. long, rooting at nodes, much
branched, branches at length ascending; leaves sessile, obovate-cunneate
to spathulate, small, decussate, obtuse or rounded
at apex, entire, nerves obsecure, decussate;
flowers axillary, solitary, bluish, about 7mm.
long, lobes sub- irregular; capsule about 5mm. long, oblong, many seeded. Local
Distribution:Found
in water with Typha sp, near Jhoke Qureshi, 12.5.2005
(voucher no. 83). General Distribution:
Widespread in almost all warm countries. TYPHACEAE Typha elephantia Roxb. Perennial, 1.4 - 4.0 m.
tall. Leaves linear or broadly linear, trigonous above
the sheath, angularly keeled dorsally; lamina 25-40mm. broad. Inflorescence a
terminal, cylindrical, superposed spike; male above and female below, parts
separate; axis of the male flower covered with hairs; female spike cylindric, blackish brown or brown; pistillodes
presnt; female flowers bracteates, bracts spathulate and longer than the hairs; stigma lanceolate. Fl.
Per. Mach - August. Type: Described from Bengal-Hogla. Local Distribution: Common
in the district. Dappan Wali Basti, 28.8.2005(voucher no. 633). General
Distribution: Typha domingensis Pers. (Syp: T. australis Schum. & Thonn. T. angustata Bory & Chaub.) Perennial, partly
submerged, rooted in the mud. Herb with a creeping root system. Stem
rhizomatous, cloth with distichous scales. Leaves
radical, erect, ditichous, elongated, linear,
usually 5-6, upto 3meter or more long, 2-2.5cm.
broad, semi-cylindrical above the sheathnig base,
thick and spongy in texture. Flowering
stem equal or somewhat smaller than the leaves; male & female
spikes are separated by a long interval; male spike covered with pointed or
linear hairs; female spikes pale-brown, up to 1.5 cm. in diameter in the
fruit. In male flower the stamens usually 3, rarely 1-6; filament free or
variously connate. In female flower, the ovary unilocular,
stipitate, narrowed in a slender style. Fl.
Per.: Most of the year. Type:
Described from the Local Distribution: Common in the district. Near Baloch Nagar, 11.5.2005 (voucher no. 45). General
Distribution: Almost throughout REFERENCES 1.
Ahmad, N. and M. Younis. (1979).
Aquatic plants of 2.
Anonymous. 1998. District Census Report of Dera Ismail Khan. Population
Census organization Statistic division Government of Pakistan Islamabad.1-2 3.
4.
Cope, T.A. (1982): ''Poaceae'' in E. Nasir
& S.I. Ali, Flora of 5.
Hashmi, Rizwan,
6.
Jafri, S.M.H.(1966): ''The Flora of 7.
Khadija, A. (1974): 'Ceratophyllaceae' in
8.
Khadija, A., & S.M.H. Jafri.(1975):
''Potamogetonaceae''
in E. Nasir & S.I. Ali, Flora of Pakistan, 79: 3-4,7. 9.
Khan, R. U. (2000):
Facts about AZRI, 10.
Marwat,
S. K., R. A. QURESHI & M.
A. Khan. (1996): ''The Cyperaceae of Rawalpindi
District'' in 11.
Omer, S. & Rizwan Y. H. (1987): ''Typhaceae'' in E. Nasir & S.I. Ali, Flora of
12.
Qaiser, M. (1977): ''Menyanthaceae'' in E.
Nasir & S.I. Ali, Flora of |