WATER LILY FAMILY NYMPHAEACEAE 
CAROLINA WATER SHIELD 
Cabomba caroliniana Gray 
The Carolina Water Shield is a¥southern plant which is 
found in ponds from southern Illinois and Missouri to North 
Carolina, south to Florida and Texas. The slender stem is often 
several feet long, much branch- 
ed and covered with a jellylike 
substance. The leaves are of 
two types. Those below the 
surface of the water are op- 
posite and repeatedly divided 
into narrow segments, whereas 
the floating leaves are alternate 
and shieldlike. 
The plants bloom from 
May to September and the 
flowers are white with yellow 
spots at the base. The 3 
sepals and 3 petals are similar 
in size and color. There are 
usually 6 stamens and 3 pistils, 
the latter in fruit containing 3 
seeds each. 
There is another Water 
Shield, Brasenia Schreberi Gmel., 
which is likely to be found in 
ponds in any part of the state. 
he flowers are smaller than 
those of the Carolina Water 
Shield and dull purple; the 
leaves are alternate, shield shaped 
and floating. Stamens are more 
numerous (12-18) and pistils 
also (4-18). 
The Water Nymph or Water 
Lily, Nymphaea tuberosa Paine, 
is the commonest white Water Lily in Illinois. It has no fra- 
grance. The leaves are mostly larger than the sweet-scented 
species, more prominently ribbed and very rarely crimson beneath. 
The rootstock bears numerous tubers, often compound, which 
detach themselves from the parent plant. Seeds are fewer and much 
larger. 
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