Freshwater Wetlands/ Common Mermaid-weed

COMMON NAME: Common Mermaid-Weed

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Water-Milfoil, Marsh Mermaid-Weed

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Proserpinaca palustris 

FAMILY: Haloragaceae

COMMUNITY: Freshwater Wetlands

STATUS: Native

LIFESPAN: Perennial

HEIGHT: to 12 inches

FLOWERING TIME: Mid June to September

FRUITING TIME: Mid July to October

DISTRIBUTION: Nova Scotia to Florida ~ Statewide outside the Pine Barrens in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems horizontal at base rising to knee high at top ~ Leaves alternate, arranged in two lateral branches, like the barbs on a feather, fine featherlike, toothed, to 4 inches, submersed (covered with water) and emersed (rising above the surface of the water) ~ Flowers small, purplish to greenish ~ Ripe seeds are triangular in end view

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Haloragacea family is commonly known as the water milfoil family. Woody seeds (nutlets) are eaten by waterfowl and marsh birds.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.