Family: Limnanthaceae
Author: Willd.
Bibliography: Neue Schriften Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 3: 449 (1801)
Year: 1801
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Floerkea
Vegetable: False
Observations: S. Canada to U.S.A.
Description
False mermaid, scientifically known as Floerkea proserpinacoides, is a delicate and intriguing member of the Limnanthaceae family. This plant species was first described by the botanist Willd. in 1801 and was formally documented in the journal “Neue Schriften der Gesellschaft Naturforschender Freunde zu Berlin,” volume 3, page 449.
False mermaid is distributed across a wide geographical range spanning from Southern Canada to various parts of the United States. Its presence in diverse environmental conditions makes it a subject of interest for many botanists and plant enthusiasts.
Characteristically, Floerkea proserpinacoides exhibits a set of unique features that distinguish it from other members of the Limnanthaceae family. The plant’s foliage consists of finely divided leaves, which give it a feathery appearance. Despite its delicate look, False mermaid is known for its resilience in shaded and moist environments.
The flowers of Floerkea proserpinacoides are relatively small but possess a subtle charm. These blossoms tend to be white or pale in color and can often go unnoticed unless one is specifically searching for them.
Ecologically, False mermaid plays a vital role in its native habitats. It contributes to the biodiversity of the understory plant community and provides a source of interest for pollinators, although its specific pollinators are not well-documented.
For those interested in studying False mermaid, it can provide insight into adaptation strategies of woodland and moist environment flora. Its presence in a variety of locations across North America also offers opportunities to study its interactions with different plant and animal species in differing environmental conditions.
In conclusion, Floerkea proserpinacoides, or False mermaid, is a fascinating plant with a delicate structure and vital ecological role. Its widespread presence from Southern Canada to the United States highlights its adaptability and significance within the Limnanthaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: false mermaid, false mermaid-weed, false mermaidweed
Fra: floerkée fausse-proserpinie
En: False mermaid, False mermaidweed, FALSEMERMAID, False mermaid-weed
Fr: Floerkée fausse-proserpinie
Synonyms
- Cabomba pinnata ((Pursh) Schult. & Schult.f.)
- Nectris pinnata (Pursh)
- Floerkea occidentalis (Rydb.)
- Floerkea uliginosa (Muhl.)
- Floerkea palustris (Nutt.)
- Floerkea lacustris (Pers.)
Distribution
- British Columbia (native)
- California (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Delaware (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Québec (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Utah (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Hayley Schultz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Kolter Kiess (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 21, 2014 by EOL − hikebikerun13 (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 24, 2021 by David David (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Steve R. Turner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Steve R. Turner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Steve R. Turner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − MBG (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5334521)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:372501-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Floerkea proserpinacoides Willd.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb