Potamogeton crispus
L.
Curly Pondweed
(c) gwynmwilliams, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by gwynmwilliams
(c) Susan Elliott, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Susan Elliott
(c) Chuangzao, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chuangzao
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Root
Young leaves are edible when cooked. The root is also edible, though no further preparation details are recorded.
Where to Find It
It grows in tropical and warm temperate regions. It grows in ponds and dams and slow flowing waterways. It grows in wetlands. It can tolerate very low salinity. It grows best in water more than 50 cm deep. It tolerates cold water. It grows best when water temperatures are above 15°C. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Afghanistan, Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Britain, Cambodia, Central Asia, China, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam,
How to Identify
A herb which grows under water. It extends about 2-8 m across. It has underground stems or rhizomes. There are also trailing stems which are flattened and 4 m long. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 2.5-10 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oblong. They do not have a stalk. They are thin and deep green. The edges have fine teeth and are wavy. The flower spikes are 0.8-2 cm long.
How to Grow
A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun. It prefers alkaline water. Prefers cool water. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile.
Propagation: No specific information is available for this species, but the recommended approach is to sow seed in a pot standing in its own depth of water in a greenhouse as soon as ripe, since stored seed is likely to lose viability quickly. Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and gradually increase the water depth around the pot until plants are covered by a few centimetres. Grow on in a sunny greenhouse position through the first winter, continuing to increase water depth as plants develop. Plant out into permanent positions in early summer. Alternatively, divide plants in spring or take cuttings of erect shoots during the growing season.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Potamogeton crispus, the crisp-leaved pondweed, curly pondweed, curly-leaf pondweed or curled pondweed, is a species of aquatic plant (hydrophyte) native to Eurasia but an introduced species and often a noxious weed in North America.
Notes
There are about 100 Potamogeton species.
Names & Synonyms
References (23)
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