Small pondweed
Potamogeton pusillus · Aquatic plants
Out of the water · Photo: Kallum McDonald / CC0
Also called Slender pondweed
How to identify Small pondweed
- Very narrow, flat leaves with 1 to 3 veins
- Often two small glands at the base of each leaf
- Fine, branching stems
Similar plants
Leafy pondweed lacks glands at the leaf base; horned pondweed has curved seeds in the leaf axils.
Growth profile
| Growing season | Grows from winter buds in spring, peaks in summer and forms new buds in late summer. |
|---|---|
| Starts growing | About 50 F water |
| Light | Tolerates moderate turbidity |
| Depth | 1 to 10 feet |
| How it spreads | Winter buds and seeds |
| Habitat | Ponds, lake shallows and slow streams; tolerates many water types. |
Why it matters in a lake
A common, fine leaved native that rarely causes problems on its own. Good food for waterfowl.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Alismatales |
| Family | Potamogetonaceae |
| Scientific name | Potamogeton pusillus |
Eurasian watermilfoil
Curly leaf pondweed
Brazilian elodea
Coontail
Elodea
Sago pondweed
Leafy pondweed
Common bladderwort
White water buttercup
Slender naiadNeed a hand?
Is it taking over your lake?
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