American Pondweed

Potamogeton nodosus Poir.

Potamogetonaceae (Pondweed Family)

▲▼ leaves floating on water, while stems are rooted in sediment

▲▼ leaves floating on water, while stems are rooted in sediment

Pondweeds: 

• ·         U.S native and non-native, creeping perennial, rooted floating plants in the Pondweed Family (Potamogetonaceae) found in ponds and streams

• ·         Stems grow up to 6’ long

• ·         Most have elongated, linear to elliptical leaves that float flat on water surface

• ·         Flower is small, green-gray spike that emerges 3-6 inches above surface for pollination, then sinks back down for seed development

• ·         Pondweeds can spread by overwintering buds, seed, rhizomes, fragments

• ·         American Pondweed, Variable-leaf Pondweed & Leafy Pondweed are species that should be controlled in Missouri, due to their potential for spreading

• ·         Some pondweed species are entirely submerged plants and can be aggressive

  • o   Curled Pondweed is most aggressive

    • §  Has linear, wavy-edged leaves

  • o   Other species of submerged pondweeds include Leafy pondweed, Sago Pondweed and Large-leaf Pondweed

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