Characters same as that of the family.

Basic characters for distinguishing the species in Ruppia are the length of peduncle and podogyne, shape and size of fruit and pollen sacs and leaf sheath characters. Variation in these characters has caused various authors to recognize many species in Ruppia. In view of 15 years of extensive culture studies Setchell (1946, cf., Mason in N.Z. J. Bot. 5:219-231. 1967) concluded that there is pheno¬typic variation and that there are 2 valid widespread species in Ruppia. These are now generally recognized, along with a very distinct species recently described from Australia. Only 1 species is found in Pakistan.

Lower Taxon

• Ruppia maritima Linn.

Related Synonym(s):

• Ruppia rostellata Koch = Ruppia maritima Linn.