Cabombaceae

Aquatic, non-woody (herbaceous) perennials with long leafy stems and creeping rhizomes; underwater parts of plant covered with a sticky gel. Leaves floating, alternate, mostly crowded near the top of the stem, simple, oval, on very long stalks attached to the centre of the leaf on its lower surface; leaf edges smooth.

Flowers solitary, often distinctly raised above the water surface, on long stout stalks arising from upper stem nodes. Each flower producing both pollen and seeds, and radially symmetrical. Sepals and petals each usually 3 (sometimes 4), separate from each another; sepals smaller than and appearing distinct from the dull purple petals. Stamens 12-18 (-36) with stalks of 2 different lengths. Carpels 4-8; ovary located above point of attachment of other flower parts (superior). Fruit small, leathery, club-shaped, resembling capsules, do not split open.

One native species in New Brunswick: Water-shield (Brasenia schreberi).