Curled pondweed (Potamogeton crispus, Sp. Pl.: 126 (1753))

Family: Potamogetonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 126 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potamogeton

Vegetable: False

Observations: Old World

Description

Curled pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton crispus, belongs to the Potamogetonaceae family. Documented first in “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this aquatic plant is native to the Old World, encompassing regions across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Characterized by its distinctive, spirally twisted leaves, Curled pondweed thrives in a variety of freshwater habitats, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. The leaves, which can vary in color from olive to reddish-brown, possess a wavy margin that contributes to the plant’s curled appearance, a feature that not only attracts attention but also helps in the identification of the species.

This perennial plant plays a vital role in underwater ecosystems. It provides essential habitat and food for aquatic wildlife such as invertebrates, fish, and waterfowl. Furthermore, Curled pondweed contributes significantly to water quality by stabilizing sediments and enhancing oxygen levels.

Despite its many ecological benefits, Potamogeton crispus is considered invasive in certain parts of the world, particularly in North America, where it was introduced and has proliferated. The plant’s robust growth can sometimes lead to overpopulation, potentially disrupting local aquatic ecosystems and impeding water flow in managed water bodies.

In summary, the Curled pondweed is a notable aquatic plant with both beneficial and occasionally problematic impacts, depending on its environment. It remains a subject of ecological interest due to its unique characteristics and its role within freshwater habitats worldwide.

Common Names

Nn: Krustjønnaks, Krustjørnaks
Fa: بارهنگ آبی فردار
Pl: Rdestnica kędzierzawa
Ru: Рдест курчавый
Sk: Červenavec kučeravý
Es: Rizos de agua
Sv: Krusnate, Poimuvita
Eng: curled pondweed, curly pondweed, curly-leaf pondweed, curly-leaved pondweed, crisp pondweed
Deu: krauses laichkraut
Dan: kruset vandaks
Nor: krustjønnaks
Nld: gekroesd fonteinkruid
Swe: krusnate, poimuvita
Nob: krustjernaks
Nno: krustjørnaks, krustjønnaks
Fin: poimuvita
Fra: potamot crépu, potamot à feuilles crépues, potamot crispé
Cym: dyfrllys crych, dyfrllys crychion, dyfrllys crychlyd, dyfrllys danhe
Ara: hamool, horreish
En: Curled pondweed, Curly pondweed, Curly-leaf pondweed, Crisped pondweed, Crispy-leaved pondweed, Curly-leaved pondweed, Crisp pondweed, Curlyleaf pondweed
Ar: حريش (حُرِّيش)، غزال (غَزال)، هلس (هِلّس), خز (خَز)، هلس (هُلُّس), ريم (رِيم)، حمول (حَمُول), زلف (زِلف)، زلفه (زِلْفه)، خس (خَس), Hamool, Horreish
Be: Урэчнік кучаравы
Bg: Къдрав ръждавец
Ca: Llapó fullat, Potamogèton cresp
Zh: 菹草, 馬藻
Cs: Rdest kadeřavý
Da: Kruset vandaks
Nl: Gekroesd fonteinkruid
Et: Kähar penikeel
Fi: Poimuvita
Fr: Potamot crépu, Potamot crepu, Potamot à feuilles crépues, Potamot crispé
De: Froschsalat, Gekräuseltes Laichkraut, Krauses Laichkraut, Teichampfer
He: נהרונית מסולסלת
It: Brasca increspata, Erba gala, Lattuga ranina, Brasca crespa, Erba galla
Ko: 말즘
No: Krustjønnaks
Nb: Krustjernaks
Zh-tw: 馬藻
Uk: Рдесник кучерявий
Cy: Dyfrllys crych, Dyfrllys Crychion, Dyfrllys Crychlyd, Dyfrllys Danhe

Synonyms

• Potamogeton pallidior (Gand.)
• Potamogeton tuberosus (Roxb.)
• Potamogeton crispus f. serrulatus ((Opiz) Schrad. ex Rchb.)
• Potamogeton crispus f. latifolius (Fieber)
• Potamogeton crispus subsp. angustifolius (Gaudin)
• Potamogeton crispus f. longifolius (Fieber)
• Potamogeton crispus f. angustifolius (Fieber)
• Potamogeton crispus var. acutifolius (Fieber)
• Potamogeton crispus f. vulgaris (Fieber)
• Buccaferrea crispata (Bubani)
• Potamogeton crispus var. phialiensis (Post)
• Potamogeton leptophyllus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crenulatus (D.Don)
• Potamogeton crispus var. planifolius (G.Mey.)
• Potamogeton macrorrhynchus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crispatus (Wallman ex Rchb.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. macrorrhynchus ((Gand.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Potamogeton concinnitus (A.Benn.)
• Potamogeton rubricans (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. serrulatus (Schrad. ex Rchb.)
• Potamogeton hohenackeri (Gand.)
• Potamogeton rubrinaevus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. gemmifer (Rchb.)
• Potamogeton hungaricus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton notarisii (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. laevis (Merino)
• Potamogeton crispus var. serratus (Gray)
• Potamogeton crispus var. sinuatus (Fr.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. obtusifolius (Fieber)
• Potamogeton austriacus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton crispus f. gemmifer (Rchb.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. najadoides (Graebn.)
• Potamogeton lactucaceum (Montandon)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Free State (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• India (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Tasmania (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2017 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by S R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Gary W Sherwin (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.

Habit

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by HP Mooibroek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2021 by Lulla May (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 23, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 31, 1877 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 1906 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Feb 4, 2014 by EOL − Tim Park (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5301162)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:323116-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton crispus L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Crown

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.5

Ph minimum: 6.4

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7