Frogsmouth
Philydrum lanuginosum, Fam. Philydraceae
Emergent aquatic perennial to 2m or more high, often caespitose and shortly rhizomatous.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Aquatic plants |
| Family: | Philydraceae |
| Leaf: | Leaves mostly basal, linear, folded, to 60cm long and 20mm wide, mostly hairy. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Yellow |
| Flower description: | Inflorescence spicate or branched, to 1m long, flowers subtended by a bract almost as long as the flower; bract reflexed at anthesis. Perianth yellow, outer surfaces hairy, outer whorl 12–15 x 10mm wide, inner whorl 8 x 2mm wide. One stamen with a twisted anther. October to March. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Red |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Red brown, hairy capsule, 10mm long. |
| Habitat: | Wetland. |
| Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Victoria, Western Australia, New Guinea, Malesia, Pacific Islands. |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea, Malesia, Pacific Islands. |
| Notes: | Grows in permanently or periodically shallowly inundated areas. Normally a component of native wetlands where it supplies food and cover to birds and animals. |
| Information sources: | Chen LMJ. et al. (2021) Rediscovery of the ‘Woolly Frogsmouth’, Philydrum lanuginosum Banks ex Gaertn. (Philydraceae), in Singapore. Nature in Singapore. 14., PlantNET (2022) Philydrum lanuginosum Banks & Sol. ex Gaertn. FloraOnline., Sainty GR. & Jacobs SWL. (2003) Waterplants in Australia. |
