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Photographer: Robert H. Read
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Family Haloragaceae
Proserpinaca palustris L. var. crebra Fernald & Griscom
common mermaid-weed, marsh mermaid-weed
Proserpinaca: Pliny's name of Polygonum meaning "pertaining to Proserpine"
palustris: "of marshes"
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| Status: | Native |
| Plant: | perennial, semi-aquatic to aquatic, often found in clones; stems with many short, dark spikes |
| Flower: | purplish to greenish, 3-parted, small, sepals triangular; solitary to 3 together, stalkless in the axils of the emersed leaves |
| Fruit: | 1/10" wide, nut-like, not winged, sides nearly flat, 3-seeded |
| Leaf: | alternate, submersed leaves oval to oblong and pinnately dissected |
| Habitat: | swamps, marshes, shores, ephemeral woodland ponds |
| (Glossary) |
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