The BioFiles - Bill Hubick

Marsh Mermaidweed (Proserpinaca palustris)

Source: Wikipedia

Proserpinaca palustris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Haloragaceae
Genus: Proserpinaca
Species:
P. palustris
Binomial name
Proserpinaca palustris

Proserpinaca palustris, the marsh mermaidweed or common mermaid-weed,[2][3] is a species of flowering plant in the watermilfoil family (Haloragaceae). It is found in North America, the Caribbean, and Central America.[3]

Description

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It has submerged leaves, which are sessile, 2–6 cm (1–2 in) long. They are deeply divided into linear segments and the emergent leaves are simply serrated. It has fruits with concave sides and sharp or winged angles.[4]

Taxonomy

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There are two known varieties; P. palustris var. palustris - which has fruits 4-6mm wide, angles wing margined, very rare SE and NW P. palustris var. crebra (Fernald and Griscom) - which has fruits 2-4mm wide, angles not winged, occasional E and NW [4]

Habitat

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It grows in swamps, bogs, ponds and marshes.[4]


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References

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  1. ^ "Proserpinaca palustris". ipni.org. International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  2. ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "​Proserpinaca palustris L.​". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 2018-09-27.
  3. ^ a b Weakley, Alan S. (2018), Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States, working draft of 20 August 2018, University of North Carolina Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  4. ^ a b c Ann Fowler Rhoads and Timothy A. Block The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual, p. 494, at Google Books