Cabomba caroliniana

A. Gray

Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York 4: 47. 1837.

Common names: Fanwort
Illustrated
Synonyms: Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima R. M. Harper Cabomba pulcherrima
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Submersed leaves: petiole to 4 cm; leaf blade 1-3.5 × 1.5-5.5 cm, terminal segments 3-200, linear to slightly spatulate, to 1.8 mm wide. Floating leaves: blade 0.6-3 cm × 1-4 mm, margins entire or notched to sagittate at base. Flowers 6-15 mm diam.; sepals white to purplish [yellow] or with purple-tinged margins, 5-12 × 2-7 mm; petals colored as sepals but with proximal, yellow, nectar-bearing auricles, 4-12 × 2-5 mm, apex broadly obtuse or notched; stamens 3-6, mostly 6; pistils 2-4, mostly 3, divergent at maturity; ovules 3. Fruits 4-7 mm. Seeds 1-3, 1.5-3 × 1-1.5 mm, tubercles in 4 longitudinal rows. 2n = ca. 78, ca. 104.


Phenology: Flowering late spring–early fall, earlier and later further south.
Habitat: Acidic to alkaline ponds, lakes, pools in marshes, rivers, streams, ditches, canals, and reservoirs
Elevation: 0-300 m

Distribution

V3 511-distribution-map.gif

Ont., Ala., Ark., Conn., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., s South America.

Discussion

Cabomba caroliniana, an important aquarium plant, is introduced in Oregon and probably in the northern part of its range where it is uncommon in several states. Formerly known from Kansas, it is thought to be extirpated there now. Although Delaware and West Virginia lie within the mapped area, I know of no collections from those states. In New England and parts of southeast United States, it is sometimes an aggressive weed. In parts of the southeastern United States, plants with purple-tinted flowers, possibly a response to some environmental factor, have been treated as Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima. South American plants with yellow flowers have been called C. caroliniana var. flavida O/rgaard.

The submersed leaves of Cabomba caroliniana are similar in form to those of Limnophila (Scrophulariaceae; introduced in southeastern United States). The latter has whorled leaves in contrast to the opposite leaves of Cabomba.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Cabomba caroliniana"
John. H. Wiersema +
A. Gray +
Fanwort +
Ont. +, Ala. +, Ark. +, Conn. +, D.C. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Ill. +, Ind. +, Ky. +, La. +, Md. +, Mass. +, Mich. +, Miss. +, Mo. +, N.H. +, N.J. +, N.Y. +, N.C. +, Ohio +, Okla. +, Oreg. +, Pa. +, R.I. +, S.C. +, Tenn. +, Tex. +, Va. +  and s South America. +
0-300 m +
Acidic to alkaline ponds, lakes, pools in marshes, rivers, streams, ditches, canals, and reservoirs +
Flowering late spring–early fall, earlier and later further south. +
Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York +
schneider1982a +
W1 +  and Illustrated +
Cabomba caroliniana var. pulcherrima +  and Cabomba pulcherrima +
Cabomba caroliniana +
species +