Proserpinaca
(an old Latin name, used by Pliny, probably from proserpo, to creep; in reference to the creeping stems). Mermaid Weed. SYN. Trixis. ORD. Halorageae. A genus comprising a couple of species of hardy, aquatic herbs, inhabiting North America and the West Indies. Flowers minute, axillary, sessile, solitary or clustered. Leaves alternate, sub-sessile, lanceolate, dentate or pectinate-pinnatifid. Stems creeping at the base. The species should be grown in large pans of water, with a little soil for the roots to run in; or they may be cultivated in ponds. They require shelter during winter.
P. palustris (marsh-loving). fl. white. Summer. l. lanceolate, sharply serrate, the lower pectinate when under water. Canada, &c., 1818. P. pectinacea (pectinate). fl. white. Summer. l. all pectinate, the division linear-awl-shaped. North America, &c., 1821.