Potamogeton natans

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Potamogeton natans
PotamogetonNatans.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Potamogetonaceae
Genus: Potamogeton
Species:
P. natans
Binomial name
Potamogeton natans
L.

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.

Contents

Description

Floating leaves PotamogetonNatans2.jpg
Floating leaves

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 . 2013: e.T164479A19495876. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T164479A19495876.en . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. NRCS. "Potamogeton natans". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (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.