Ottelia ulvifolia (Planch.) Walp.

ulvifolia: with leaves submerged in water

Aquatic herb. All parts smooth or with only minute, unicellular teeth. Leaves submerged, only floating in shallow water, numerous, tufted, ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, 8-40 cm long, thin and often translucent, pale green to brownish-green, often with purple markings; petiole distinct or undifferentiated from a gradually tapering blade. Inflorescence appearing just above the surface of the water, peduncles 3-angled; spathes elliptic-oblong,ovate or nearly circular, c. 2-5 cm long. Flowers bisexual; sepals 3, lanceolate to linear, 8-15 mm long, translucent, pale green or pinkish-brown, darker at the tip and darker brownish veins; petals 3 obovate, up to 25 × 10 mm, yellow, white or white with a yellow base, often wrinkled. Fruit ovoid to oblong-cylindric, 20-40 mm long, opening by decay.

Throughout tropical and subtropical Africa