Family: Potamogetonaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 127 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Potamogeton
Vegetable: False
Observations: Cosmopolitan
Description
Lesser pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton pusillus, is an aquatic plant belonging to the family Potamogetonaceae. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753, where it was given its formal classification.
A cosmopolitan species, Lesser pondweed thrives in a variety of aquatic environments around the globe. It is typically found in freshwater bodies, such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving streams. Its adaptability allows it to grow in differing ecological conditions, although it prefers clear waters and substrates rich in organic material.
Lesser pondweed is characterized by its slender, thread-like stems and small, narrow leaves. The leaves are usually arranged in an alternate pattern along the stem and have a translucent, delicate quality. These plants can form dense underwater stands, providing essential habitat and food sources for various aquatic organisms, including invertebrates and fish.
Due to its wide distribution and ability to inhabit diverse environments, Potamogeton pusillus plays a significant role in maintaining aquatic biodiversity. It aids in the stabilization of sediment, the improvement of water quality, and the provision of oxygen through photosynthesis. However, in some areas, particularly where it grows prolifically, it may be considered a nuisance or invasive species, potentially interfering with water-based recreational activities or irrigation.
In conclusion, Lesser pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus) is a vital aquatic plant with cosmopolitan distribution, contributing positively to its ecosystems despite sometimes being deemed problematic in certain locales.
Common Names
Eng: baby pondweed, lesser pondweed, small pondweed, slender pondweed
Deu: gewöhnliches zwerg-laichkraut, kleines laichkraut, zwerg-laichkraut
Nor: granntjønnaks
Dan: spinkel vandaks
Nob: granntjernaks
Nno: granntjørnaks, granntjønnaks
Fin: hentovita
Swe: hentovita, spädnate, veknate
Fra: potamot fluet, potamot nain, potamot de palerme, potamot grêle
Nld: tenger fonteinkruid
Sme: šiervvesvihti
Ita: brasca palermitana
Cym: dyfrllys culddail, dyfrllys eiddil
En: Lesser pondweed, Small pondweed, Baby pondweed, Slender pondweed
Ar: ريم (رِيم)، حمول (حَمُول)
Da: Spinkel vandaks
Nl: Tenger fonteinkruid
Fi: Hentovita
Fr: Potamot nain, Potamot fluet, Potamot de Palerme, Potamot grêle
De: Gewöhnliches Zwerg-Laichkraut, Kleines Laichkraut, Zwerg-Laichkraut, Palermer Laichkraut, Zartes Laichkraut
It: Brasca Palermitana
Se: Šiervvesvihti
No: Granntjønnaks
Nb: Granntjernaks
Nn: Granntjørnaks, Granntjønnaks
Sv: Hentovita, Spädnate, Veknate
Cy: Dyfrllys Culddail, Dyfrllys Eiddil
Synonyms
- Potamogeton pusillus var. major (Fr.)
- Potamogeton trichoides (Benth.)
- Potamogeton gracilis (Fr.)
- Potamogeton caespitosus (Humn.)
- Potamogeton panormitanus var. minor (Biv. ex Guss.)
- Potamogeton compressus var. elongatus (Wahlenb.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. latifolius (Čelak.)
- Potamogeton millardii (Hesl.-Harr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus subsp. sturrockii ((A.Benn.) Hook.f.)
- Potamogeton panormitanus (Biv.)
- Potamogeton lateralis f. subcompletus (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus subsp. argentinus (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton pusillus subvar. interruptus (J.W.Robbins)
- Potamogeton badius (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton turionifer var. mucronulatus (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. minor ((Biv. ex Guss.) Fernald & B.G.Schub.)
- Potamogeton aschersonii (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. longipedunculatus (Hicken)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. africanus (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton subjavanicus (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusilliformis (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. panormitanus ((Biv.) Nyman)
- Spirillus pusillus ((L.) Nieuwl.)
- Potamogeton exiguus (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus subsp. panormitanus ((Biv.) Schinz & R.Keller)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. capillaris (Gaudin)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. vulgaris (Fr.)
- Potamogeton turionifer (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton denticulatus (Link)
- Potamogeton subtrichodes (Schur)
- Potamogeton lateralis f. incompletus (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. elongatus (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. capitatus (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton berteroanus (Phil.)
- Potamogeton reichenbachii (M.Loehr ex Beurl.)
- Potamogeton aschersonii f. pusilloides (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton rutilus subsp. caespitosus ((Humn.) Nyman)
- Potamogeton turionifer var. tenuis (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. lacunatus (Fernald)
- Potamogeton sturrockii (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton panormitanus var. major (G.Fisch.)
- Buccaferrea pusilla ((L.) Bubani)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. tenuifolius (K.Schum.)
- Potamogeton trinervius (G.Fisch.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. typicus (Fernald)
- Potamogeton dualis (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. pseudorutilus (A.Benn.)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. sphaerocarpus (K.Schum.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Caprivi Strip (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Corse (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Denmark (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Finland (native)
- Florida (native)
- France (native)
- Free State (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- India (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Libya (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Maine (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oman (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Leaf
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jul 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 7, 2009 by Jean-Michel Faton (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 12, 2020 by Sam Davis (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Bark
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Flower
Taken Jul 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 19, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8351789)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:208919-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton pusillus L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 7
Soil salinity: 1