Family: Haloragaceae — water-milfoil family
Our New England species in the Haloragaceae are freshwater aquatic herbs. In most species, the plants have leaves that are divided into narrow segments; in some species, the form of submersed leaves is different from those that grow above water. The small flowers are solitary or arranged in a spike and are radially symmetrical, 3- to 4-merous, and often have only pollen-bearing or ovule-bearing parts (i.e., the flowers are unisexual). There are usually sepals but may not be any petals; these flower parts attach above the ovary (i.e., the ovary is inferior). When present, the petals are distinct from one another. There are as many or twice as many stamens as there are sepals. There are 1-4 styles. The fruit is usually a schizocarp that separates into multiple segments at maturity.
This family’s genera in New England
Visit this family in the Dichotomous Key