Heteranthera sp.
Mud plantain, Mud Plantain
Family: Pontederiaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Heteranthera sp. (Mud plantain) is a non-native California perennial in the Pontederiaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Eichhornia: Heteranthera has thin petioles and single flowers; Eichhornia has balloon-like leaf stalks and flower clusters.; vs Monochoria: Heteranthera has three stamens and long trumpet flowers; Monochoria has six stamens and short bell-shaped flowers.; vs Commelina: Heteranthera is aquatic with parallel-veined leaves; Commelina is terrestrial with broader net-veined leaves.; vs Pectocarya: Heteranthera is aquatic with trumpet flowers; Pectocarya is terrestrial with tiny white flowers and nutlets.; vs Viola: Heteranthera has symmetrical trumpet flowers in water; Viola has irregular spurred flowers on land.
Frequently asked questions
Is Heteranthera sp. native to California?
No. Heteranthera sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Heteranthera sp. belong to?
Heteranthera sp. is in the Pontederiaceae family, genus Heteranthera.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.