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Shade Mudflower

Micranthemum umbrosum

Shade mudflower covering water

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

What is Shade Mudflower?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Small
  • Round

Flowers:

  • Small
  • White

Stem:

  • Light green
  • Bushy
  • Grows in bunches

Where Does it Grow?

Shade mudflower can be found in small ponds, ditches and streams. This plant is often emergent in the summer and submersed in the winter.

Pros and Cons of Shade Mudflower

Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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