Family: Potamogetonaceae
Author: Fieber
Bibliography: B.V.von Berchtold & P.M.Opiz, Oekon.-Techn. Fl. Böhm. 2(1): 277 (1838)
Year: 1838
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Potamogeton
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Little Aguja Pondweed (Potamogeton berchtoldii)
Little aguja pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton berchtoldii, is a fascinating submerged aquatic plant that belongs to the Potamogetonaceae family. This plant is commonly found in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in a variety of freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving rivers.
Description and Characteristics
Potamogeton berchtoldii is a delicate, slender plant usually identified by its narrow, linear leaves. The leaves are translucent and range from green to olive or reddish-brown, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters in length and only 1 to 1.5 millimeters in width. The plant grows from a fibrous root system that anchors it to the substrate. It typically features inconspicuous flowers that emerge in small, dense spikes during the blooming season, which occur above or just below the water surface.
Habitat and Distribution
This species exhibits a preference for clean, still or gently flowing waters with a varying degree of sunlight penetration. It can be found in both shallow and deeper water bodies. Little aguja pondweed is distributed across the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, which includes numerous regions in North America and Eurasia. Its presence is a good indicator of water quality, as it tends to flourish in relatively unpolluted environments.
Ecological Importance
Potamogeton berchtoldii plays a vital role in freshwater ecosystems. As a submerged aquatic plant, it provides habitat and shelter for a variety of aquatic organisms, including fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms. Moreover, it contributes to the water clarity and quality by stabilizing sediments and absorbing nutrients. The dense mats formed by this pondweed can also serve as breeding grounds for some fish and amphibian species.
Human and Environmental Interactions
Apart from its ecological value, little aguja pondweed has practical implications for humans. It is sometimes used in aquascaping and in maintaining ornamental water gardens due to its attractive, feathery appearance. However, under certain conditions, it may proliferate excessively and require management to avoid interference with water-based activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing.
Historical Context
The botanical description of Potamogeton berchtoldii can be traced back to the work of Fieber, who was guided by the authoritative documentation from B.V. von Berchtold and P.M. Opiz in 1838. Their systematic delineation of this species in the “Oekon.-Techn. Fl. Böhm.” serves as a cornerstone of modern understanding, contributing to the rich history of aquatic botany.
Little aguja pondweed remains an essential subject of study for botanists and ecologists alike, reflecting the intricate balance of freshwater ecosystems and the necessity of preserving such delicate yet crucial plant species.
Common Names
Deu: berchtolds laichkraut, berchtolds zwerg-laichkraut
Dan: liden vandaks
Eng: small pondweed, berchtold’s pondweed, slender pondweed
Swe: gropnate, pikkuvita
Nld: klein fonteinkruid
Fin: pikkuvita
Fra: potamot de berchtold
Nob: småtjernaks
Nno: småtjørnaks, småtjønnaks
Sme: unnavihti
Cym: dyfrllys bach, dyfrllys eiddil
En: Little Aguja Pondweed, Small pondweed, Berchtold’s pondweed, Slender Pondweed
Zh: 纤细眼子菜
Cs: Rdest Berchtoldův
Da: Liden vandaks
Nl: Klein fonteinkruid
Et: Muda-penikeel
Fi: Pikkuvita
Fr: Potamot de Berchtold
De: Berchtold-Laichkraut, Berchtolds Zwerg-Laichkraut, Berchtolds Laichkraut, Kleines Laichkraut
He: נהרונית קרומית
It: Brasca di Berchtold
Se: Unnavihti
Nb: Småtjernaks
Nn: Småtjørnaks, Småtjønnaks
Fa: بارهنگ آبی چکوسلواکی
Pl: Rdestnica Berchtolda
Sv: Gropnate, Pikkuvita
Cy: Dyfrllys bach, Dyfrllys Eiddil
Synonyms
- Potamogeton pusillus var. minutissimus (Mert. & W.D.J.Koch ex Merino)
- Potamogeton pusillus var. berchtoldii ((Fieber) Nyman)
- Potamogeton pusillus f. brevirostris (Hagstr.)
- Potamogeton pusillus f. pygmaeus (Hagstr.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Austria (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Finland (native)
- Florida (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Montana (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Aug 15, 1995 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Aug 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 9, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Fruit
Taken Aug 3, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 20, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Emilien HENRY (cc-by-sa)
© 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/6389089)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:603133-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Potamogeton berchtoldii Fieber)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 7
Soil salinity: 1