金鱼藻 jin yu zao

Stems to 3 m. Leaves bright green, coarse textured, 1--2 × dichotomously divided; whorls 1.5--6 cm in diam.; segments linear to filiform, 1.5--2 cm × 1--5 µm, not inflated. Flowers 1--3 mm in diam. Achene dark green to reddish brown, body (excluding spines) 3.5--6 × 2--4 mm, smooth or slightly tuberculate, margins wingless and spineless, facial spines absent; basal spines or tubercles 2, 0.1--12 mm, straight or curved; terminal spine (persistent style) 0.5--14 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun--Sep. 2n = 24, 38, 40, 48.

Streams, ponds, lakes. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Cosmopolitan].

This species is widespread throughout China and expected to be reported from additional provinces.