FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Callitriche palustris, Vernal Water-starwort, Vorbrúða

Callitriche palustris; The Vernal Water-starwort is relativily common on Iceland growing in water or temporarily dried mud soils. It is characterized by the minute-toothed submerged leaves and blunt-tipped floating leaves which are longer than broad (spatulate/ligulate in shape). The latter differentiate the species from the Common Water-Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis) which has rather round-shaped floating leaves.
Traditionally water-starwort species have been classified in their own family: starwort family (Callitrichaceae) but recently they have been included in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae). The Icelandic name of this species is Vorbrúða.