FENNEL-LEAVED PONDWEED

FENNEL-LEAVED PONDWEED

Potamogeton pectinatus
(Potamogetonaceae)

This submerged aquatic plant has thread-like leaves and much branched stems. Its dense growth furnished good cover for small fish and other aquatic animals. Its fruit (not yet photographed) served as excellent food for fish.

This aquatic is abundant in the flood plain stream of Fontenelle Forest and in the Great Marsh. This plant is most commonly found in alkaline rich water especially in lowland areas, avoiding acid conditions and shade.

This species and Slender-leaved Pondweed form a group different from the other pondweeds in that the spike has the fruit much less dense. The spikes remain underwater and the pollen is carried from flower to flower by water. In the main pondweed group the spikes are emergent and wind-pollinated.

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