3140.000 Tristicha Thouars

Submerged, annual or perennial, freshwater herbs, firmly fixed to rock substrate in cataracts and spray at edges of waterfalls. Basal part thalloid, ribbon-like, branched, bearing moss-like shoots which vary greatly from abbreviated flowering shoots to long leafy stems. The abbreviated flowering shoots comprise 2 or more short leafy sterile branches terminated by a solitary flower. Leaves small, along the stems, sessile, entire or divided. Flowers terminal and/or axillary, each subtended by 2 scarious bracts longer than the leaves; spathella absent. Perianth segments (tepals) 3. Fruit capsule ovoid, ribbed. Seeds small, numerous.

Worldwide: Two species, one pantropical, the other native to Australia.

Malawi: 1 taxon.