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Ribbonleaf pondweed

Potamogeton epihydrus · Aquatic plants

Ribbonleaf pondweed: Whole plant

Whole plant · Photo: Steven Lamonde / CC BY

NativeFloating-leaf

Also called Nuttall's pondweed

How to identify Ribbonleaf pondweed

  • Long, ribbonlike submersed leaves with a pale central band
  • Oval floating leaves, often opposite
  • Flattened stems

Similar plants

Flatstem pondweed has no floating leaves and lacks the pale central band.

Growth profile

Growing seasonGrows from rhizomes in spring, floating leaves appear in early summer and plants die back in fall.
Starts growingAbout 50 F water
LightPrefers clear water
Depth1 to 8 feet
How it spreadsRhizomes, seeds and winter buds
HabitatSoft water lakes, ponds and slow streams, often in acidic or low mineral water.

Why it matters in a lake

Mostly in soft water mountain and forest ponds. Rarely a nuisance.

Where it is found

  • Idaho: Occasional
  • Oregon: Occasional
  • Wyoming: Rare

Classification

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderAlismatales
FamilyPotamogetonaceae
Scientific namePotamogeton epihydrus

More floating-leaf plants

American pondweedFloating leaf pondweedYellow pond lilyFragrant water lilyWater smartweedFloating marshpennywortUruguay water primroseWatershieldWater purslaneFloating primrose willow

Browse all aquatic plants in the Species Database

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