Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin

FLOATING-LEAVED PONDWEED

(Potamogeton natans L.)

PONDWEED FAMILY (Potamogetonaceae)

IND. STATUS: OBL

FIELD CHARACTERISTICS: An aquatic, perennial herb. The blades of the floating leaves are heart-shaped to somewhat heart-shaped at the base, and are 2-4.7 cm. wide and (3.2)3.7-9 (l0) cm. long. The larger leaves have (18)21-35 nerves. Submerged leaves are long and narrow. The mature fruit is (3.5)3.7-4.5 mm. long (including the beak). Flowers are on emerged spikes. In flower from July to September.

ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Floating-leaved pondweed is found in marshes, lakes, rivers, ditches, and bogs; typically in water depths to 5 feet, but it can be found at more than twice that depth. Good fish habitat is provided by this aquatic plant.

SOURCE: Voss (1972).

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