Potamogeton natans

Potamogeton natans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Alismatales
Family:Potamogetonaceae
Genus:Potamogeton
Species: P. natans
Binomial name
Potamogeton natans

Potamogeton natans, commonly known as broad-leaved pondweed,[2] floating pondweed,[3] or floating-leaf pondweed, is an aquatic species in the genus Potamogeton native to quiet or slow-flowing freshwater habitats throughout the Holarctic Kingdom.

Description

It produces both floating and submersed leaves on the same plant. The floating leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate and almost always cordate at the base. They are dark green, leathery, opaque, with translucent longitudinal veins. They are 5 to 10 cm long, pointed at the tips, and rounded at the base.

The stipules are 4 to 17 cm long.

The submerged grass-like structures are called phyllodes, are actually modified leaf stalks.

The stems are cylindrical, without many branches, and grow from 1 to 2 metres.

The main difference between this species and other pondweeds is a discoloured flexible joint just below the top of the long leaf stalk.

The flower spikes are dense, and cylindrical. They are 5 to 10 cm long, pointed at the tip and rounded at the base. It flowers from May to September.

The fruits are 4 to 5 mm long and obovate.[4]

References

  1. Gupta, A.K. (2013). "Potamogeton natans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  2. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. "Potamogeton natans". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  4. Rose, Francis (2006). The Wild Flower Key. Frederick Warne & Co. pp. 490–491. ISBN 978-0-7232-5175-0.


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