Grass-wrack pondweed (Potamogeton compressus, Sp. Pl.: 127 (1753))

Family: Potamogetonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 127 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potamogeton

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Eurasia

Description

The Grass-wrack Pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton compressus, is a species of aquatic plant that belongs to the family Potamogetonaceae. This perennial plant has garnered interest both for its unique morphology and its ecological significance.

Widely distributed across temperate regions of Eurasia, Potamogeton compressus thrives in a variety of freshwater habitats. It is commonly found in slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ponds. The plant plays a crucial role in these ecosystems, providing habitat and food for aquatic life while also contributing to water quality by stabilizing sediment and cycling nutrients.

The Grass-wrack Pondweed is notable for its slender, compressed stems and ribbon-like leaves, features that may contribute to its common name. These characteristics allow the plant to move gracefully with water currents, reducing resistance and potentially making it more resilient to disturbances in its aquatic environment.

First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, its binomial nomenclature and classification have been well-established in botanical literature. The species’ historical and scientific documentation underscores its long-standing recognition and study within the field of botany.

As a member of the Potamogetonaceae family, Grass-wrack Pondweed shares several traits with its relatives, yet stands out due to its distinct physical form and habitat preferences. The plant’s specific adaptations make it an interesting subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike, providing insights into aquatic plant biology and ecosystem dynamics.

In conclusion, the Grass-wrack Pondweed (Potamogeton compressus) encapsulates the intricate relationship between form, function, and environment in aquatic plant life. Its presence in temperate Eurasian waters not only enhances biodiversity but also underpins the health and stability of freshwater ecosystems.

Common Names

Nor: bendeltjønnaks
Dan: bændel-vandaks
Deu: flachstengeliges laichkraut, flachstengeliges lauchkraut, flachstängeliges laichkraut
Eng: grass-wrack pondweed, wrack-like pondweed
Hun: békaszőlőfaj
Nld: plat fonteinkruid
Fra: potamot à tiges comprimées
Swe: bandnate
Nno: bendeltjønnaks, bendeltjørnaks
Sme: deaškevihti
Cym: dyfrllys camlaswellt, dyfrllys cywasg
En: Grass-wrack pondweed, Wrack-Like Pondweed
Be: Урэчнік поясалісты
Zh: 扁茎眼子菜
Cs: Rdest smáčknutý
Da: Bændelvandaks, Bændel-vandaks
Nl: Plat fonteinkruid
Et: Lapik penikeel
Fi: Litteävita
Fr: Potamot à tiges comprimées, Potamot aplati, Potamot comprimé
De: Flachstängeliges Laichkraut, Seegras-Laichkraut, Flachstengeliges Lauchkraut, Flachstängliges Laichkraut, Flachstengeliges Laichkraut, Flachstengel-Laichkraut, Plattstengliges Laichkraut
Hu: Békaszőlőfaj
Is: Sverðnykra
It: Brasca a caule compresso
Se: Deaškevihti
No: Bendeltjønnaks
Nn: Bendeltjønnaks, Bendeltjørnaks
Pl: Rdestnica ściśniona
Sv: Bandnate
Cy: Dyfrllys cywasg, Dyfrllys Camlaswellt

Synonyms

• Potamogeton reflexus (A.Benn.)
• Potamogeton cuspidatus (Schrad.)
• Potamogeton complanatus (Willd.)
• Potamogeton acutifolius var. major (Fieber)
• Potamogeton zosterifolius f. magnus (Tiselius)
• Potamogeton zosterifolius (Schumach.)
• Spirillus zosterifolius ((Schumach.) Nieuwl.)
• Potamogeton monoginus (Miki)
• Potamogeton zosterophyllus (Dumort.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. oppositifolius (Gray)
• Potamogeton compressus var. dimidius (Crép.)
• Potamogeton compressus var. obtusus (Schltdl.)
• Potamogeton acutifolius f. major ((Fieber) Rchb.)
• Potamogeton compressus var. acutus (Schltdl.)
• Potamogeton zosterifolius f. selenocarpus (Hagstr.)
• Potamogeton zosterifolius var. americanus (A.Benn.)
• Potamogeton zosterifolius var. minor (Hook.)
• Potamogeton crispus var. major (Gray)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Romania (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 22, 1985 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 1985 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:323118-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7689610)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton compressus L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

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

Soil nutriments: 5