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American pillwort, pillwort

Habit Plants forming dense clones.
Leaves

1.6–10.2 cm, sparsely pubescent.

Sori

4.

Sporocarp(s)

stalks attached at base of leaf, 1–3 mm.

Pilularia americana

Phenology Sporocarps produced spring–fall (Apr–Oct).
Habitat In shallow water of ponds and temporary pools and on reservoir margins
Elevation 50–600 m (200–2000 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
AL; AR; CA; GA; KS; MO; NC; NE; OK; OR; SC; TN; TX; Mexico in Baja California
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Discussion

Pilularia americana also has been reported from Alaska. I have seen no vouchers from Alaska, nor have I seen the Oregon vouchers. Because of its grasslike appearance and subterranean sporocarps, P. americana is probably overlooked and more common than records indicate. The telltale circinate vernation of the leaves is the best characteristic for distinguishing it from similar plants.

Pilularia caroliniana A. Braun, an invalid name, has been used for this species and may appear on specimens.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Source FNA vol. 2.
Parent taxa Marsileaceae > Pilularia
Name authority A. Braun: Monatsber. Königl. Preuss. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1863: 435. (1864)
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