Cabomba schwartzii
Aquatic herb with purple floating leaves and yellow flowers.
Cabomba schwartzii is an aquatic herb native to northern Brazil and found only there. Its stem length varies with water depth and contains two vascular bundles. The plant produces floating leaves that are elliptical or round, peltate, and carried on petioles 1–3 cm long; the leaf blades measure 1.5–3.8 cm long and 1.0–2.5 cm wide, with a purple upper surface. Yellow flowers rise above the water, each with 2–3 sepals (6.0–8.0 mm long, 2.5–3.0 mm wide) and 2–3 petals (6.5–8.0 mm long, 2.5–3.0 mm wide). The androecium has 2 to 6 stamens, and the gynoecium consists of 1 or 2 carpels. Seeds are 1.5–2.2 mm long and 1–1.2 mm wide.
First described by Karel Rataj in 1977, the species was later treated as a synonym of *Cabomba aquatica* by Marian Ørgaard in 1991, but was reinstated by Barbosa et al. in 2018. The type specimen was collected by T. W. Schwartz at Igarapé do Aduja, Rio Itu, Rio Negro, Brazil. In its habitat, it grows alongside *Cabomba furcata*, *Nymphaea*, *Utricularia*, and *Mayaca*. Flowers are visited by flies and bees.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Cabomba
- Species
- schwartzii
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Cabomba schwartzii was described by Karel Rataj in 1977. It was later treated as a synonym of Cabomba aquatica by Marian Ørgaard in 1991, but was reestablished by Barbosa et al. in 2018. The type specimen was collected by T. W. Schwartz in Igarapé do Aduja, Rio Itu, Rio Negro, Brazil. The stems have two vascular bundles, and the floating leaves are elliptical or orbicular, peltate, and petiolate, with a purple adaxial surface. The flowers have 2–3 sepals and 2–3 petals, with stamens numbering 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, and 1 or 2 carpels. The seeds are 1.5–2.2 mm long and 1–1.2 mm wide.
Reader's Guide
Cabomba schwartzii is significant as a species endemic to North Brazil with a contested taxonomic history, having been synonymized under Cabomba aquatica and later reestablished. Its distinctive purple floating leaves and yellow flowers make it a recognizable aquatic herb. The species occurs sympatrically with Cabomba furcata, Nymphaea, Utricularia, and Mayaca, and its flowers are visited by flies and bees, indicating its role in local pollination ecology. The type locality in Igarapé do Aduja, Rio Itu, Rio Negro, Brazil, anchors its known distribution. The variability in stamen number (2–6) and carpel number (1–2) is a notable morphological feature. Its reestablishment in 2018 by Barbosa et al. underscores ongoing taxonomic refinement within the genus.
Did You Know?
- Cabomba schwartzii was originally described by Karel Rataj in 1977.
- It was treated as a synonym of Cabomba aquatica in 1991 before being reestablished in 2018.
- The adaxial surface of its floating leaves is purple.
More in Aquarium and Aquatic Plants, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced