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CABOMBACEAE

WATERSHIELD FAMILY

William J. Stone

Aquatic per in freshwater; rhizomes in mud
Stems elongate, leafy; ends floating
Leaves of 2 types; alternate, long-petioled with floating, peltate blades; opposite to whorled, short-petioled, submersed blades deeply dissected
Flower solitary, above surface of water, bisexual; sepals 2–4; stamens 3–6 (Cabomba ), 12–18 (Brasenia ), filaments slightly flattened, anthers opening lengthwise; ovary superior, pistils simple, 2–many, ovules 1–3, styles terminal or decurrent
Seeds 1–3
Genera in family: 2 genera, 8 species: temp and tropical Am, Africa, e Asia, Australia. Some Cabomba species cultivated for aquaria, may occur as waifs in CA.

BRASENIA

WATERSHIELD


Species in genus: 1 sp
Etymology: (origin unknown)
. Sometimes placed in Nymphaeaceae, but differs in having simple pistils.

Native

B. schreberi J.F. Gmel.


Stem slender, 3–20 dm, branching, reddish brown; submersed parts covered with thick gelatinous coating
Leaves alternate, long-petioled, floating; blades 4–12 cm, 3–8 cm wide, oval, centrally peltate
Inflorescence: flower solitary in axils
Flower reddish purple; sepals, petals 3, 10–15 mm, linear-oblong; stamens 12–18, filaments thread-like; pistils 4–18, separate, styles decurrent
Fruit 6–8 mm, oblong, leathery, indehiscent
Ecology: Ponds, ditches, slow streams
Elevation: < 2200 m.
Bioregional distribution: Northwestern California, Sierra Nevada Foothills, High Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, Modoc Plateau
Distribution outside California: temperate N.America
Horticultural information: shallow, fresh water: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

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