Baldellia ranunculoides

Baldellia ranunculoides, also known as Alisma or Water Plantain or false buttercup, is a small plant with small white or pink flowers that grows on riverbanks. It is best suited for small ponds, without significant competition. Its leaves are linear and arranged in a rosette, and are a bright green colour. Between June and August, numerous delicate flowers appear, either white or pink, or white at the base and pink on the outside.

Baldellia ranunculoides belongs to the family Alismataceae, and is native to western and southern Europe and the Mediterranean. It can be found in marshes, lake shores, ponds, and rivers. It is a perennial plant that forms a small tuft in a rosette shape, with upright emergent growth. It reaches a height of 30cm (12in) and a spread of 15cm (6in). It grows from a bulbous stump and has semi-evergreen foliage in winter. The glabrous, linear leaves are slightly sheathing and have a vibrant green colour. It flowers in summer. The flowers, consisting of 3 small sepals and 3 non-fused petals, can be white or pink, and sometimes white at the base and pink on the upper part.

Baldellia ranunculoides can tolerate various wet conditions, from shores up to 10cm (4in) deep. It thrives in acidic soils. With its natural appearance and abundant flowering, it is best suited for small ponds, without the competition of larger plants that could smother it.