182 



GOLDFISH VARIETIES AIS^D 



SPATTERDOCK 



Among the newer introductions into the aquarium are the submerged 

 Spatterdocks. The large arrow- or spade-shaped leaves make a very 

 characteristic appearance. Seedling plants gathered from lakes and ponds 

 in the fall will do well in the aquarium over winter. If summer leaves 

 appear and become too large for the aquarium the plant had best be re- 

 moved. The Southern Spatterdock, Nuphar sagittcvfolia, does not 



Fig. 130. Southern Spatterdock {Reduced one-half) 



develop aerial leaves, but they gradually lengthen as the warm season pro- 

 gresses. Figure 130 shows the plant in March. Later the stems and 

 leaves will be longer. In October a new growth starts close to the thick, 

 running root or rhizome. The leaves of this Spatterdock are of the bright- 

 est green hue and do not darken in strong light. Where the rhizomes 

 have been broken off they have a tendency to rot, eventually killing the 

 plant. This seems to be overcome by planting in sweet soil. 



