Suomi
Svenska
Broad-Leaved Pondweed
Potamogeton natans
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Broad-Leaved Pondweed is a freshwater plant with oval floating leaves and very slender underwater leaves. It grows in lakes, ponds and slow rivers, often in fairly deep water. In late summer it raises a short green flower head above the surface. Stems can reach around 0.5–2 m.
Did you know?
- Broken pieces of its creeping underground stem can grow into new plants.
- Pondweed species often cross with each other, and this one is no exception.
About the species
Identification
Perennial aquatic with long, lax stems (about 0.5–2 m). Floating leaves on long stalks are oval, 6–13 cm, thick and leathery, shiny on top; the base forms two small inward folds where it meets the stalk. Underwater leaves are very narrow, thread‑like and often die off early. At each leaf joint there is a pale, stiff, papery wrapper that persists. Flowering shoots carry a short, cylindrical green flower head that reaches the water surface or above in late summer. Small hard fruits follow. Flowers in Finland in July–August.
Plant group
Herbaceous plants
Habitat
water
Flowering
Jul–Aug
About the habitat
Still and slow‑moving waters such as lakes, ponds and gentle rivers; often over firm, mineral bottoms and usually in fairly deep water. Common across Finland except rare in northernmost Lapland.
Sources
Photo: chrisdt, CC BY 4.0 https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/6234901424
Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Sisävedet: humusjärvet, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.40129
Text: Pinkka (Luomus), CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.40129
Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uistinvita
