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 ot the state. 

 The 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 phint. Seeds are fewer and much 

 larger. 



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