''Cabomba furcata'' is a species of

aquatic plant Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments ( saltwater or freshwater). They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that ...

in the water shield family known by the common names red cabomba and forked fanwort. It is native to Central and South America and as far north as

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

and the tip of

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, a ...

. It reaches a maximum height between 30 and 80 cm and is up to 8 cm wide. It bears purple flowers. This is used as an aquarium plant.

Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide ( chemical formula ) is a chemical compound made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in the gas state at room temperature. In the air, carbon dioxide is t ...

addition is usually necessary, mostly because this plant requires high light and regular fertilization for optimal growth. ''Cabomba furcata'' has been reported as an invasive species in Kerala, India. Even though the rapidly growing cabomba are treat to eyes , it becomes hazardous for the water bodies due to its active stem propagation which prevents light from entering the water. It suffocates the water bodies economically and ecologically hindering the growth of native aquatic plants and freshwater fish. Red cabomba requires huge quantity of oxygen, resulting in decline of biodiversity and water quality.

References

*Ørgaard, M. (1991). The genus ''Cabomba'' (Cabombaceae) - a taxonomic study. ''Nordic Journal of Botany'' 11: 179-203 *Wiersema, J. H. (1989). A new species of ''Cabomba'' (Cabombaceae) from tropical America. ''Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard.'' 76:1167–1168.

External links

USDA Plants Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q773707 Nymphaeales Flora of the United States Freshwater plants