California waterwort

Elatine californica A.Gray

Elatine californica, known as California waterwort, is a species in the family Elatinaceae. It was first described by A. Gray in 1878. This aquatic or semi-aquatic plant is native to the Nearctic region, with a distribution that includes Arizona, California, Idaho, Mexico Northwest, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

Description

Elatine californica is a member of the genus Elatine, commonly referred to as waterworts. It is found in various freshwater habitats across its range. The species is part of the Elatinaceae family, which is known for its small, often aquatic or wetland-dwelling plants. Its native range spans several western states in the United States and parts of northwestern Mexico, indicating an adaptation to temperate and arid climates with seasonal water availability.