Horned-pondweed (Zannichellia palustris, Sp. Pl.: 969 (1753))

Family: Potamogetonaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 969 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Zannichellia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subtrop.

Description

The Horned-pondweed, scientifically named Zannichellia palustris, is a fascinating aquatic plant species belonging to the family Potamogetonaceae. Described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” this species is notable for its distinctive adaptations to both temperate and subtropical climates.

Zannichellia palustris thrives in a variety of aquatic environments, including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. It is a submerged, perennial plant that commonly inhabits shallow waters and plays a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem by providing habitat for small aquatic creatures and serving as a food source for various waterfowl.

One of the unique characteristics of Horned-pondweed is its slender, branching stems that can grow to significant lengths, forming dense underwater forests. The narrow, thread-like leaves of this plant are specifically adapted to its submerged lifestyle, allowing for efficient absorption of nutrients from the water.

This plant also produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are pollinated underwater. The seeds, which are often referred to as “horned” due to their distinctive shape, help in the propagation of the species. These seeds are buoyant, allowing them to disperse over a wide area, thus ensuring the continuity of the species across various aquatic habitats.

Horned-pondweed is an important indicator of water quality, as it thrives in clean, well-oxygenated water, and its presence can be a sign of a healthy aquatic environment. However, it can also tolerate a range of environmental conditions, making it a resilient species in fluctuating climates.

In sum, Zannichellia palustris is a resilient and ecologically vital aquatic plant, whose presence enriches and stabilizes aquatic ecosystems. Its ability to adapt and thrive in varied climatic conditions underscores its ecological importance and its role in maintaining the health and balance of freshwater habitats.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig vandkrans, vandkrans
Eng: horned pondweed, horned poolmat, horned-pondweed
Deu: teichfaden
Nld: brede zannichellia en zittende zannichellia, zittende en gesteelde zannichellia, zannichellia
Lav: purva diedzene
Fra: zannichellie des marais, alguette, chenillée, zannichellie palustre
Swe: hårsärv
Sme: mearrasuoran
Nob: småvasskrans, krypvasskrans, liten vasskrans, stilkvasskrans, vasskrans
Nno: småvasskrans, krypvasskrans, liten vasskrans, stilkvasskrans, vasskrans
Cym: cornwlydd y gors, cornwlyddyn, llynddail corniog, llynwlyddyn corniog
En: Horned-pondweed, Horned pondweed, HORNED POOLMAT
Ar: زانيكلية سبخية
Be: Занікелія балотная
Bg: Блатна цаникелия
Ca: Zanniquèl·lia
Zh: 絲葛藻, 角果藻
Hr: Barska žabokrečina
Cs: Šejdračka bahenní
Da: Almindelig vandkrans, Vandkrans
Nl: Zittende, Brede en gesteelde zannichellia, Zittende en Gesteelde zannichellia, Brede zannichellia en zittende zannichellia, Brede zannichellia, Gesteelde zannichellia, Zannichellia, Zittende Zannichellia
Et: Harilik hanehein
Fi: Haura, Pikkuhaura
Fr: Zannichellie des marais, Alguette, Chenillée, Zannichellie palustre
De: Teichfaden, Sumpf-Teichfaden, Zweispaltiger Hohlzahn
He: חוטית הביצות
It: Zannichellia, Zannichellia palustre
Ko: 뿔말
Lv: Purva diedzene
Lt: Pelkinė vandensargė
Se: Mearrasuoran
No: Vasskrans
Nb: Småvasskrans, Krypvasskrans, Liten vasskrans, Stilkvasskrans, Vasskrans
Nn: Småvasskrans, Krypvasskrans, Liten vasskrans, Stilkvasskrans, Vasskrans
Fa: یال اسبی
Pl: Zamętnica błotna
Ru: Занникеллия болотная
Gd: Lus na linne
Sv: Hårsärv
Zh-tw: 角果藻
Cy: Llynwlyddyn corniog, Cornwlydd y Gors, Cornwlyddyn, Llynddail Corniog

Synonyms

• Pelta palustris ((L.) Dulac)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alabama (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Assam (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Botswana (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chad (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Finland (native)
• Florida (native)
• France (native)
• Free State (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (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)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• New Zealand South (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oman (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Australia (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Oct 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 19, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (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.

Leaf

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Vincent Van De Bor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2022 by Laura Montoya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2022 by Lucie Carrier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2021 by Aubin Valancher (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 21, 2021 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 21, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2000 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Oct 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 28, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Bark

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

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

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

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

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

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

Taken Jun 30, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2756540)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:603593-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Zannichellia palustris L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 6