Family Cabombaceae
Description: Perennial aquatic herbs attached to the substrate.
Leaves alternate, opposite or whorled, floating or submerged; floating leaves alternate, peltate, circular or rhombic to elliptic; submerged leaves, if present, opposite or whorled, dissected, initially trichotomously or more, then dichotomously.
Flowers bisexual, axillary, solitary. Sepals 3 or 4. Petals 3 or 4, white, yellow or dark maroon. Stamens 3–numerous. Carpels 1–18, free; stigmas terminal.
Fruit indehiscent.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 2 genera, c. 8 species, tropical to warm-temp. areas, widespread but not common. Australia: 2 genera, 2 species, Qld, N.S.W., Vic.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Cabombaceae, Order: Nymphaeales)
Wikipedia
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the genera | |
| 1 | Leaves all floating, circular, peltate; flowers dark maroon | Brasenia |
| Most leaves submerged, dissected; floating leaves rhombic to elliptic, peltate; flowers white or cream with yellow base | Cabomba |
|
