Cabomba Aublet. Common name: Fanwort.
A genus of about 5 species, aquatic herbs, tropical and temperate regions of America.
ID notes: When in vegetative condition, Cabomba is sometimes mistaken for other, superficially somewhat similar aquatics, such as Ceratophyllum (Ceratophyllaceae), Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae), and Myriophyllum (Haloragaceae). Cabomba has the leaves opposite or whorled (rather than strictly whorled), dichotomously divided (like Ceratophyllum), but the divisions lacking the marginal denticles of Ceratophyllum, and on a 1-3 cm long petiole (vs. sessile or on a petiole 0-2 mm long). Utricularia has the leaves sometimes dichotomously divided, but the divisions are usually irregular, the leaves are alternate (in most species), and bladder traps are present. Myriophyllum has the leaves pectinately rather than dichotomously divided.
References: Fassett (1953); Ørgaard (1991); Wiersema (1997c) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1997); Williamson & Schneider (1993a) In Kubitzki, Rohwer, & Bittrich (1993). Show full citations.
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© Keith Bradley | Cabomba caroliniana | Original Image ⭷
© Gary P. Fleming | Cabomba caroliniana | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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