Nutall waterweed (Elodea nuttallii, Rhodora 22: 29 (1920))

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Author: (Planch.) H.St.John

Bibliography: Rhodora 22: 29 (1920)

Year: 1920

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Elodea

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Canada to U.S.A.

Description

Nutall Waterweed: A Comprehensive Guide

Nutall waterweed, scientifically known as Elodea nuttallii, is a submerged aquatic plant celebrated for its significant role in freshwater ecosystems. This species was formally described in the early 20th century, with its notable publication in Rhodora in 1920 by H. St. John, referencing the earlier work of Planch.

Description and Characteristics

Elodea nuttallii is a perennial plant belonging to the Hydrocharitaceae family. It typically exhibits slender, branching stems that can grow up to several meters in length, forming dense mats underwater. The leaves are bright green, often slightly curved, and come in whorls of three or more, giving the plant a delicate, feathery appearance. These leaves are notably shorter and narrower than those of its close relative, Elodea canadensis.

Habitat and Distribution

The natural range of Nutall waterweed stretches from southern Canada across to various regions in the United States. This plant thrives in calm freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers. It can grow either rooted in substrate or freely floating, making it quite adaptable to different aquatic environments.

Ecological Role

Elodea nuttallii is an important component of aquatic habitats due to its various ecological functions. It provides essential cover and breeding grounds for invertebrates and small fish. Moreover, it contributes to water quality by absorbing excess nutrients and stabilizing sediment, which helps prevent erosion and maintain clarity.

Reproduction and Growth

The reproduction of Nutall waterweed is primarily vegetative, occurring through fragmentation. Small stem pieces can develop into new plants, enabling rapid colonization of suitable habitats. Flowering is rare and not often a significant mode of reproduction for this species.

Control and Management

While Nutall waterweed is beneficial for many reasons, it can sometimes become invasive outside its native range, outcompeting local vegetation and disrupting ecosystems. Careful management practices, including mechanical removal and monitoring of water bodies, are essential to prevent and control its spread.

Conclusion

Nutall waterweed (Elodea nuttallii) is a particularly valuable, yet sometimes problematic, aquatic plant. Its presence supports diverse aquatic life and contributes to the health of freshwater ecosystems, but balance is key to managing its growth and preventing it from becoming invasive. Understanding its characteristics and ecological significance helps in making informed decisions for conservation and management efforts.

Common Names

Fra: elodée de nuttall, elodée à feuilles étroites, élodée à feuilles étroites, élodée de nuttall
Eng: nutall waterweed, nuttall waterweed, nuttall’s waterweed, nuttall’s waterweed/pondweed, nuttall’s pondweed, western waterweed, esthwaite water-weed, nuttall’s water-weed
Deu: nuttall-wasserpest, nuttalls wasserpest, schmalblättrige wasserpest
Ita: peste d’acqua di nuttall, peste d’acqua di nuttall
Dan: smalbladet vandpest
Nld: smalle waterpest
Hun: aprólevelű átokhínár
Ces: vodní mor americký
Swe: smal vattenpest, smalbladig vattenpest
Cym: alaw nuttall, ffugalaw nuttall
En: Nutall waterweed, Nuttall’s Waterweed, Nuttall’s waterweed/pondweed, Nuttall’s pondweed, Western waterweed, Nuttall waterweed, Esthwaite Water-Weed, Nuttall’s Water-Weed
Cs: Vodní mor americký
Da: Smalbladet vandpest
Nl: Smalle waterpest
Fr: Elodée de Nuttall, Elodée à feuilles étroites, Élodée à feuilles étroites, Élodée de Nuttall
De: Nuttall-Wasserpest, Nuttalls Wasserpest, Schmalblättrige Wasserpest
Hu: Aprólevelű átokhínár
It: Peste d’acqua di Nuttall, Peste d’acqua di Nuttall
Sv: Smal vattenpest, Smalbladig vattenpest
Cy: Alaw Nuttall, Ffugalaw Nuttall

Synonyms

• Udora verticillata var. minor (Engelm. ex Casp.)
• Philotria minor ((Engelm. ex Casp.) Small)
• Philotria nuttallii ((Planch.) Rydb.)
• Anacharis nuttallii (Planch.)
• Elodea minor ((Engelm. ex Casp.) Farw.)
• Elodea columbiana (H.St.John)

Distribution

• Arkansas (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Montana (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 12, 2019 by Antoine Loutrel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by genave alborada (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Michel Gaubert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 2, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Paule LAMOUROUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Paule LAMOUROUX (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/5329212)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:90089-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H.St.John)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 7