
AQUATIC PLANTS OF FRESHWATER 

are small and white, and the carpels rounded 
on the back with a deep and wide groove 
between; also thin, smooth and sometimes 


y slightly rugose. 
Myriophyllum verticillatum (Linn.) or 
Whorled Water-milfoil has the submerged 
Gass S leaves in more dense and crowded whorls of 
Ks ‘ ee 3’s and 4’s, the capillary divisions very long 
HEN and slender, usually finer than the above. 
The pectinate floral leaves are much longer 
than the purplish staminate flowers which 
have 8 stamens. May be found in both 
deep and shallow water from Quebec to 
Florida; west to Minnesota and in California. 
Myriophyllum alternifolia (Gray) or 
Loose-flowered Water-milfoil has the sub- 
merged leaves in whorls of 3 to § or occasion- 
E Ny \| = ally scattered; with finely pinnate capillary 
Sage, DSA 
FALE WSR 
: 4ANx aS 
ESA \ several on a branching stem. The floral 
divisions and the spikes short, numerous or 
leaves are ovate-linear, entire or minutely 
toothed and smaller than the 4-petaled, 
‘ staminate pale rose-colored flowerets, with 
8 stamens, and the carpels rounded on the 
back and deeply grooved. Found in Canada 
FIG. 115 Spiked Water-milfoil, and the northern United States border and 
Myriophyllum spicatum,whorled leaf, flower 
stalk and blossom. Reduced one-half. | may be had of dealers. 
Myriophyllum nitschei (Moenk) or Full-branching Water-milfoil, is a 
recently developed German aquarium variety having many-branched stems 
and beautiful long and slender leaves. It is named for the German fish- 
culturist, Nitsche and was developed by him from M. verticillatum. The 
slender leaf filaments are from 1% to 3 inches long. 
As previously stated, Myriophyllum will thrive in the aquarium but 
does not grow entirely satisfactory as it loses its fine appearance. The stems 
often become denuded of leaves, the plant assumes a dusky appearance 
and the younger growth is irregular and straggling. Its principal use is 
in the spawning of goldfishes and is introduced into the spawning-beds in 
loose bunches bound at the lower ends with metallic strips. For this pur- 
pose it is the best and most easily handled aquatic plant, though goldfishes 
sometimes prefer the roots of the Water Hyacinth for spawning. 
Proserpinaca. This species is known botanically as Myriophyllum 
proserpinacoides, meaning forward creeping, and popularly as Parrot’s feather 
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