Cabomba

Vegetative characteristics Cabomba are perennial, rhizomatous, aquatic herbs with short, brown rhizomes. are delicate, brown to white, and branched. delicate, branched or unbranched stems and up to 4 m long. and they may be absent entirely. The floating leaves are inconspicuous. Generative characteristics The solitary, Cytology Various chromosome counts have been observed in Cabomba: 2n = 26, 39, 52, 78, 104. ==Taxonomy==

It was published by Jean Baptiste Christophore Fusée Aublet in 1775. • Cabomba aquatica Aubl. (fanwort) • Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray (green cabomba) • Cabomba furcata Schult. & Schult.f. (red cabomba) • Cabomba haynesii • Cabomba palaeformis Fassett • Cabomba schwartzii Rataj And four fossil species: • Cabomba gracilis • Cabomba grandis • Cabomba inermis • Cabomba pitonii Putative hybridisation It has been speculated, that Cabomba haynesii may be a result of a hybridisation event involving Cabomba palaeformis and Cabomba furcata. Etymology The generic name Cabomba may be derived from an aboriginal name of the plant in Guyana. ==Distribution==

It is native to tropical and subtropical America, and the centre of diversity is Brazil. ==Ecology==

Pollination The flowers are pollinated by flies and bees. Habitat Cabomba occurs in ponds, floodplains, swamps, and creeks. ==Cabomba as an aquarium plant==

Cabomba species are popular aquarium plants. Cabomba caroliniana is easily cultivated and is tolerant of various substrates and temperatures. By contrast, Cabomba furcata is considered to be difficult to cultivate in the aquarium, as it requires soft, acid water and a high light intensity. ==Invasive species==

Use in the aquarium trade has led to some species being introduced to other parts of the world, such as Australia, where Cabomba caroliniana it is a nationally declared weed. Having arrived in 1967, it spread rapidly in waterways and out-competed native plants, threatening water supplies, especially along the eastern side of the continent. In Australia, Cabomba caroliniana has been targeted by both chemical, and biological control. Likewise, Cabomba furcata has become an invasive species in Kerala, India, in the Kalutara district of Sri Lanka, in Chini Lake, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Its presence leads to a decline of water quality and biodiversity. ==References==