Potamogeton perfoliatus 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
-
Type
Type. Europe. Lapland, Linnaeus s.n. (lectotype fide Haynes, 1985, Institut de France).
-
Description
Species Description - Rhizomes present; erect stems terete, without spots, to 2.5 m. Leaves sessile, submersed, ± spirally arranged, lax, entire to crisped, usually olive-green, broadly lanceolate, orbicular, or ovate, nonarcuate, 3-25-veined, 0.9-7.6(-9.7) x 0.7-4 cm, the apex noncucullate, mostly round, rarely acute, the base clasping, without basal lobes; glands absent; ligules inconspicuous, free from blade, light brown to green, nonflbrous, not shredding at apex, deteriorating and deciduous, convolute, 3.5-6.5 cm long. Turions absent. Inflorescences unbranched; peduncles similar, cylindrical, terminal or axillary, erect to rarely recurved, 1-7.3 cm long; spike similar, cylindrical, 0.4-4.8 cm long. Fruits sessile, obovate, turgid, without abaxial or lateral keels, 1.6-3 x l .3-2.2 mm; beak erect, 0.4-0.6 mm long; sides without basal tubercles; embryo with one full spiral. Chromosomes: x = 26.
-
Discussion
Potamogeton perfoliatus is most similar to P. praelongus with the perfoliate leaf bases of submersed leaves and no floating leaves. The two species can easily be separated by characteristics mentioned under P. praelongus above.
-
Distribution
Widespread in temperate and subtropical regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It is known from two localities in the Neotropics, Guatemala and Cuba. The species occurs in lakes and saline bays, from sea level to 1500 m.
Guatemala Central America| Sololá Guatemala Central America| Cuba South America| Guantánamo Cuba South America|