Proserpinaca pectinata
Mermaid-weed
Photo by Susan R. Crispin

Key Characteristics

Aquatic emergent plant of coastal plain marshes; both submerged and emergent alternate leaves similar, deeply pinnately divided and feather-like; 3-parted flowers and fruits tiny, borne in leaf axils of emergent leaves.

Status and Rank

  • State Status: E - Endangered (legally protected)
  • State Rank: S1 - Critically imperiled
  • Global Rank: G5 - Secure

Occurrences

County NameNumber of OccurrencesYear Last Observed
Ottawa12007
Occurrence Map for [Sname]

Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.

Habitat

Mermaid-weed is known from a single site in southwest Lower Michigan where it was found on a sandy, wet, peaty substrate that is seasonally inundated.

Natural Community Types

Associated Plants

Common water horehound, steeplebush, sensitive fern, panic grass, sedge, bluejoint grass, twig-rush, sedges, bushy aster, black-fruited spike-rush, umbrella-grass, northern clubmoss, panic grass, cross-leaved milkwort, bald rush, tall beak-rush, tooth-cup, netted nut-rush, hyssop hedge nettle, marsh St John's-wort, pipewort, autumn sedge, meadow beauty; shrub margin: red maple, black gum, pin oak, black chokecherry, dogwoods, and buttonbush.

Management

This species requires conservation of habitat and protection of the hydrology (maintenance of cyclical drawdown regime and water table). Maintain moist, open habitat. It is also vulnerable to ORV impacts, dredging, and filling of sites.

General Survey Guidelines

Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgment of the investigator.

Survey Methods

More Information

See MNFI Species Abstract

References

Survey References

Technical References

Page Citation

Michigan Natural Features Inventory. 2007. Rare Species Explorer (Web Application). Available online at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/explorer [Accessed Feb 9, 2010]