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 

 slightly rugose. 



Myriophyllum verticillatum (Linn.) or 

 Whorled Water-milfoil has the submerged 

 leaves in more dense and crowded whorls of 

 3's and 4's, the capillary divisions very long 

 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 5 or occasion- 

 ally scattered; with finely pinnate capillary 

 divisions and the spikes short, numerous or 

 several on a branching stem. The floral 

 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 

 and the northern United States border and 

 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 i 5^ 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 



190 



FIG. 115 Spiked Water-milfoil, 

 Myriophyllum ipkatum, v/horlei leaf, flower 

 stalk and blossom. Reduced one-half. 



