Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)

Gallery:

Potamogeton crispus turian, this species’ main reproductive method

Potamogeton crispus leaf

Potamogeton crispus stem and leaves

Potemogeton crispus plants

Common names:

Curly-leaf pondweed, curly pondweed

Scientific Name:

Potamogeton crispus

Description:

Curly-leaf pondweed grows entirely underwater except for the flower stalk which rises above the water. It has distinctly wavy-edged, crispy olive-green to reddish-brown leaves. It usually grows early in spring and dies back in summer. Flowers are tiny with 4 petal-like lobes and in spikes around 1 inch long from stalks that are up to 2.8 inches long. Leaves alternate, all submersed without leaf stalks. Leaves oblong, stiff, (1.6 to 3.9 inches long by 0.2 to 1 inch wide) with distinctly wavy edges with fine teeth and 3 main veins. It produces seeds, rhizomes and turions, but the importance of seed in the spread of populations is unknown and is assumed to be less important than turions. Typically it reaches peak biomass in the late spring/early summer months and forms turions.

Life cycle:

Perennial

Height of mature plants

N/A

Flower color:

Bloom time:

April through May

Look-a-likes:

None

Habitat:

It grows in shallow to deep, still or flowing water and is tolerant of disturbance.

Impacts:

It is an invasive plant that forms surface mats, interfering with aquatic recreation. Dense colonies can restrict access to docks and sport fishing. Curly-leaf pondweed has been noted as one of the most severe nuisance aquatic plants in the Midwest.