Thulin, M. (1995) Aponogetonaceae in Flora of Somalia 4: 12
Plants freshwater herbs, perennial, glabrous, with starch-rich rhizomes or tubers; leaves basal, simple, usually long-petiolate. Inflorescences usually simple or 2-branched spikes, at first enclosed in thin spathes. Flowers usually unisexual, sometimes bisexual, usually bilatterally symmetric; tepals 1-6 or absent, petal-like, free; stamens usuallly 6, free; filaments narrow; anthers with 2 thecase; ovaries superior, of 3-6 carpels, these free or slightly united at the base; ovules 1-14 per carpel; styles short. Fruits 1-several seeded follicles; seeds with straight embryos, witout endosperm.
Aponogeton, the only genus in the Aponogetonaceae, includes about 50 species which are native in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World.