Marsh Mermaidweed
(Proserpinaca palustris)
Marsh Mermaidweed (Proserpinaca palustris)
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Rudi77
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Rudi77
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Photo by: Rudi77 | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0 | Uploader: Rudi77 | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Proserpinaca_palustris_005.jpg | Notes: Uploaded own work with UploadWizard |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Proserpinaca palustris, commonly known as Marsh Mermaidweed, is a deciduous perennial herb native to freshwater habitats such as bogs, marshes, and shallow water areas in the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the watermilfoil family and is adapted to life both above and below the water surface. Typically, it reaches a modest size, with submerged leaves that are sessile, 2–6 cm (1–2 in) long, deeply divided into linear segments, while the emergent leaves are simply serrated. The plant produces inconspicuous greenish flowers and fruits with concave sides and sharp or winged angles, which are less commonly observed.
Marsh Mermaidweed is valued for its unique foliage that provides texture and interest in water gardens and aquatic plantings. It is a versatile plant that can grow submerged or partially emerged, making it suitable for a variety of water features. It is also used in aquariums for its oxygenating properties and as a habitat for aquatic wildlife. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and thrives in aquatic environments with standing water, such as ponds or bog gardens. While it is not prone to many diseases, it can be sensitive to water quality and may require regular maintenance to ensure clean water and prevent algal overgrowth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Marsh Mermaidweed is valued for its unique foliage that provides texture and interest in water gardens and aquatic plantings. It is a versatile plant that can grow submerged or partially emerged, making it suitable for a variety of water features. It is also used in aquariums for its oxygenating properties and as a habitat for aquatic wildlife. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade and thrives in aquatic environments with standing water, such as ponds or bog gardens. While it is not prone to many diseases, it can be sensitive to water quality and may require regular maintenance to ensure clean water and prevent algal overgrowth.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 0.7-1.2 feet
- Width: 0.583-1 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Aquatic
- Drainage: Standing
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Freshwater habitats such as bogs, marshes, and shallow water areas
Other Names
Common Names: Marsh Mermaid-Weed, Common Mermaid-Weed, Proserpinie Des Marais, Southern Mermaid-Weed
Scientific Names: , Proserpinaca palustris, Proserpinaca palustris var. palustris, Proserpinaca platycarpa, Proserpinaca heterophyla, Proserpinaca palustris var. latifolia, Proserpinaca serrata, Proserpinaca tuberculata, Trixis palustris,
GBIF Accepted Name: Proserpinaca palustris L.