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