Potamogeton crispus L.

  • Authority

    Haynes, Robert R. & Holm-Nielsen, Lauritz B. 2003. Potamogetonaceae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 85: 1-52. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Potamogetonaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Potamogeton crispus L.

  • Type

    Type. Europe, LINN number 175.6 (lectotype fide Haynes, 1986, LINN).

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizomes absent; erect stems flattened, without spots, to 100 cm long. Leaves submersed, sessile, ± spirally arranged, lax, serrate, noncrisped, light to dark green, linear, nonarcuate, 3-5-veined, 1.2-9 x 0.4-1 cm, with 2-5 rows of lacunae each side of midrib, the apex noncucullate, round to round-acute, the base obtuse to nearly clasping, without basal lobes; glands absent; ligules inconspicuous, free from blade, not ligulate, brownish, nonfibrous, not shredding at tip, to 0.5 cm long, the apex obtuse. Turions common, hard, axillary or terminal, 1.5-3 x ca. 2 cm; inner leaves rolled into a linear, terete structure, oriented parallel to outer leaves; outer leaves 1-4 per side, without corrugations at base. Inflorescences unbranched; peduncles all similar, cylindric, terminal or rarely axillary, erect to ascending, 2.5-4 cm long; spikes all similar, cylindrical, 1-1.5 cm long. Fruits sessile, obovate, turgid, red to reddish brown, without abaxial keel or lateral ridges, ca. 6 x ca. 2.5 mm; beak apically recurved, ca. 3 mm long; sides without basal tubercles; embryo with one full spiral.

  • Discussion

    This is one of the easiest of all Potamogeton species to recognize, as it is the only one with truly serrate leaves.

  • Distribution

    Native to Europe and Asia, the species has become naturalized throughout North America and at a few localities in the Neotropics, in particular, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Argentina. The species is especially common in brackish, alkaline, or eutrophic waters of ponds, lakes, and streams at elevations from sea level to less than 1000 m.

    Costa Rica South America| Limón Costa Rica Central America| Puntarenas Costa Rica Central America| Valle Colombia South America| Argentina South America| Buenos Aires Argentina South America|