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Variable-leaf Pondweed

Potamogeton gramineus 

Variable-Leaf Pondweed Locations in North America
Variable-Leaf Pondweed Locations in Southeast US
variable-leaf pondweed covering water

variable leaf pondweed

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

What is Variable-leaf Pondweed?

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

Submersed Leaves:

  • Reddish-green in color
  • Up to 5.12 inches long
  • Up to 0.47 inches wide
  • Pointed tips

Floating Leaves:

  • 0.59-2.76 inches long
  • 0.39-1.18 inches wide
  • Stalks longer than leaves

Flowers:

  • Small
  • Clustered
  • Above water
  • Stalks up to 7.87 inches long

Fruit:

  • Small, greenish brown and egg-shaped
  • Dry
  • One seeded
  • Does not open to release seed when ripe
  • 0.06-0.12 inches long
  • Slightly rigid on one side

Stem:

  • Long rhizomes
  • Short branches
  • Fibrous roots on rhizomes

Where Does it Grow?

Variable-leaf pondweed can be found in ponds, lakes and marshes.

Pros and Cons of Variable-Leaf Pondweed

Variable-leaf pondweed has seven hybrids. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

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Photo Credits: The majority of the aquatic plant line drawings are the copyright of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainsville). They are used with permission.

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

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