Family: Potamogetonaceae
Author: Mert. & W.D.J.Koch
Bibliography: J.C.Röhling, Deutschl. Fl., ed. 3, 1: 855 (1823)
Year: 1823
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Potamogeton
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Blunt-leaved pondweed, known scientifically as Potamogeton obtusifolius, is an interesting and notable aquatic plant within the Potamogetonaceae family. First described in the early 19th century by the distinguished botanists Mert. & W.D.J.Koch, this species has since captured the attention of botanists and ecologists alike due to its unique characteristics and habitat preferences.
Characterized by its broad, blunt leaves, which distinguish it from other members of the Potamogeton genus, blunt-leaved pondweed exhibits a morphology well adapted to its aquatic environment. The leaves are typically submerged, slender, and possess a distinct blunt tip, providing the plant with its common name. These leaves grow in an opposite arrangement along the stem, which can extend several feet underwater, creating a delicate and intricate underwater foliage.
Blunt-leaved pondweed thrives primarily in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It favors the moderately calm waters of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers where it can anchor itself in the soft, often silty substrate. This plant plays a crucial role in such aquatic ecosystems, contributing to water quality improvement and serving as a habitat for various aquatic organisms.
This species was relatively well-documented in the botanical literature as early as 1823, as detailed in J.C. Röhling’s “Deutschl. Fl.”, contributing significantly to our understanding of aquatic flora. The historic documentation underscores the importance and persistent interest in this plant among the scientific community.
In terms of ecological contributions, Potamogeton obtusifolius is essential in oxygenating water bodies and providing shelter and food for fish and invertebrates. Its presence helps stabilize sediment and reduce erosion along water banks. Furthermore, it can act as an indicator of water quality, with its health reflecting the overall condition of its aquatic habitat.
Invasive aquatic plants threaten blunt-leaved pondweed by competing for space and resources, making the conservation and management of this species important for the maintenance of biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems.
In summary, blunt-leaved pondweed is a vital component of its native habitats, contributing significantly to both the structural and functional integrity of aquatic ecosystems. Its well-documented history and unique characteristics make it a subject of ongoing interest and study in the field of botany.
Common Names
Eng: blunt-leaved pondweed, bluntleaf pondweed
Dan: butbladet vandaks
Deu: stumpfblättriges laichkraut
Nob: butt-tjernaks
Nno: butt-tjørnaks, butt-tjønnaks
Fra: potamot à feuilles obtuses
Nld: stomp fonteinkruid
Swe: trubbnate, tylppälehtivita, klynnenate
Fin: tylppälehtivita
Sme: culcevihti
Cym: dwfrllys gwelltog, dyfrllys dail aflym, dyfrllys gwelltog
En: Blunt-leaved pondweed, Bluntleaf pondweed
Da: Butbladet vandaks
Nl: Stomp fonteinkruid
Fi: Tylppälehtivita
Fr: Potamot à feuilles obtuses
De: Stumpfblättriges Laichkraut
It: Brasca a foglie ottuse
Se: Culcevihti
Nb: Butt-tjernaks
Nn: Butt-tjørnaks, Butt-tjønnaks
Sv: Trubbnate, Tylppälehtivita, Klynnenate
Cy: Dwfrllys Gwelltog, Dyfrllys Dail Aflym, Dyfrllys Gwelltog
Synonyms
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. insolitus (Tiselius)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. microcarpus (Hyl.)
- Potamogeton tataricus (Less.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius subvar. apiculatus ((Fieber) Graebn.)
- Spirillus obtusifolius ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) Nieuwl.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius subvar. acutus ((Fieber) Graebn.)
- Potamogeton divaricatus (Wolfg.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. angustifolius ((Fieber) Rchb.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. latifolius ((Fieber) Rchb.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius subvar. obtusus ((Fieber) Graebn.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius var. elongatus (G.Fisch.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. obtusus (Fieber)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. muticus (Fieber)
- Potamogeton liljebladii (Wallman ex Rchb.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius var. latifolius (Fieber)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. apiculatus (Fieber)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. acutus (Fieber)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius var. angustifolius (Fieber)
- Buccaferrea obtusifolia ((Mert. & W.D.J.Koch) Bubani)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. elongatus (Cham. & Schltdl.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius f. contractus (Cham. & Schltdl.)
- Potamogeton obtusifolius subvar. muticus ((Fieber) Graebn.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chita (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Poland (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jun 7, 2022 by gonzalo arthuro mendez maturrano (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Habit
Taken Oct 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Bark
Taken Sep 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Other
Taken Sep 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Taken Jul 15, 1999 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
© 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/5301231)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:208883-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton obtusifolius Mert. & W.D.J.Koch)
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: 6