Cycnogeton is a small genus of aquatic and semi-aquatic flowering plants in the family Juncaginaceae, within the order Alismatales. The genus was described by Stephan Endlicher in 1838, published in Stirpium Herbarii Hügeliani. It comprises eight accepted species (per GBIF), all restricted to Australia, with one species, Cycnogeton dubium, also extending to New Guinea.
Species in the genus are distributed across most Australian states and territories — including Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland — with individual species typically confined to a subset of these regions. Cycnogeton procerum, one of the more widespread members of the genus, occurs across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
Cycnogeton was formerly treated by some authors within the related genus Triglochin (arrowgrass), reflecting the close taxonomic relationship between the two within Juncaginaceae; C. dubium itself carries the synonym Triglochin dubium. The corm of C. dubium has traditional food value, having been used as a source of food by the Yolngu people of northern Australia.
Distribution
Cycnogeton is native to Australia, with one species (Cycnogeton dubium) also found in New Guinea. Species occur across Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland, with each species generally restricted to particular states or territories.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus was described in 1838 by Stephan Endlicher, published in Stirpium Herbarii Hügeliani, and is placed in the family Juncaginaceae, order Alismatales. GBIF records 8 accepted species, matching the species listed on Wikipedia.
Cultural Uses
The corm of Cycnogeton dubium (synonym Triglochin dubium) has been used as a food source by the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land, Australia.
