Hairlike pondweed (Potamogeton trichoides, Linnaea 2: 175 (1827))

Family: Potamogetonaceae

Author: Cham. & Schltdl.

Bibliography: Linnaea 2: 175 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Potamogeton

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Europe to C. Asia, Canary Is. to N. Africa, Uganda to S. Africa

Description

Hairlike pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton trichoides, is a fascinating aquatic plant belonging to the family Potamogetonaceae. First described in Linnaea 2: 175 in the year 1827 by Cham. & Schltdl., this species plays a vital role in various aquatic ecosystems across different continents.

This plant is widely distributed, ranging from Europe to Central Asia, making its presence felt from the Canary Islands and North Africa down to Uganda and South Africa. Its remarkable adaptability allows it to thrive in a diverse array of aquatic habitats, often contributing significantly to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

Potamogeton trichoides features slender, thread-like leaves that allow it to float gracefully in water bodies such as ponds, lakes, and slow-flowing rivers. This delicate structural adaptation enables the plant to efficiently capture sunlight for photosynthesis, even in environments with varying water depths and clarity.

Ecologically, hairlike pondweed is an essential component of freshwater ecosystems. It provides a habitat and breeding ground for various aquatic organisms, contributing to the overall health and balance of these environments. Furthermore, as a submerged plant, it plays a critical role in stabilizing sediments and improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and heavy metals.

Conservation efforts for hairlike pondweed are essential, given its extensive geographic range and the pressures it faces from pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change. By ensuring the protection of its habitats and addressing environmental threats, we can help maintain the ecological balance and biodiversity of the water bodies where this delicate pondweed thrives.

In summary, the hairlike pondweed, or Potamogeton trichoides, is a vital aquatic plant with a broad geographical reach and significant ecological importance. Its unique adaptations and role in freshwater ecosystems underscore the need for its conservation and protection.

Common Names

Deu: haarblättriges laichkraut, haarförmiges laichkraut
Dan: hårfin vandaks
Nld: haarfonteinkruid
Eng: hairlike pondweed
Nob: knortetjernaks
Nno: knortetjørnaks, knortetjønnaks
Swe: knölnate
Lav: matveida glivene
Fra: potamot à feuilles capillaires, potamot capillaire
Ita: brasca capillare
Cym: dyfrllys blewynnaidd, dyfrllys gwalltog
En: Hairlike pondweed
Ar: ريم (رِيم)، حمول (حَمُول)
Da: Hårfin vandaks
Nl: Haarfonteinkruid
Fr: Potamot filiforme, Potamot capillaire, Potamot à feuilles capillaires
De: Haarblättriges Laichkraut, Haarförmiges Laichkraut, Haar-Laichkraut
He: נהרונית נימית
It: Brasca capillare
Lv: Matveida glivene
Nb: Knortetjernaks
Nn: Knortetjørnaks, Knortetjønnaks
Sv: Knölnate
Cy: Dyfrllys Blewynnaidd, Dyfrllys Gwalltog

Synonyms

• Potamogeton trichoides var. tuberculosus (Rchb.)
• Potamogeton tuberculatus (Ten. & Guss.)
• Potamogeton trichoides var. monogynus ((J.Gay) Magnin)
• Potamogeton orthorrhynchus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton pusillus subsp. trichoides ((Cham. & Schltdl.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Potamogeton pusillus var. trichoides ((Cham. & Schltdl.) Bolzon)
• Potamogeton trichoides var. tuberculatus ((Ten. & Guss.) Nyman)
• Potamogeton monogynus (J.Gay)
• Potamogeton danicus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton trichoides var. leiocarpus (Asch.)
• Potamogeton baenitzii (Gand.)
• Potamogeton trichoides condylocarpus ((Tausch) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Potamogeton perneglectus (Gand.)
• Potamogeton trichoides var. liocarpus (Asch.)
• Potamogeton phialae (Post)
• Potamogeton condylocarpus (Tausch)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Free State (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

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

Other

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5642073)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:603452-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton trichoides Cham. & Schltdl.)

Specifications

Growth