Potamogeton crispus L.

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2009). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 12 (part 2). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Type

Type Europe, LINN 175.6 (lectotype, designated by Haynes in Taxon 35 567, 1986).

Morphology General Habit

Submerged aquatic herb

Vegetative Multiplication Rhizomes

Rhizomes annual to biennial or perennating, short, strongly branched, compressed, rooting at nodes

Morphology Stem

Stems annual or partly perennial, up to 1.5 m long, 0.5–2.5 mm in greater width, unbranched or sparingly branched, filiform to robust, compressed and somewhat 4-angled with the broader sides grooved; turions of various shapes, mostly formed by axillary, stiff lateral branch with buds of reduced and horny leaf that develop as they are formed, whilst the supporting shoot grows no further Stem anatomy stele oblong with but 1 central bundle and 1 lateral bundle on each side, endodermis of O-type; interlacunar bundles absent; subepidermal bundles absent, pseudohypodermis 1-layered, sometimes absent.

Morphology Leaves

Submerged leaf sessile, linear to linear-oblong, 25–90(132) (4)6–12(18) mm, 5–9(13) times as long as wide, bright green to dark green or occasionally slightly reddish, especially along the midrib, slightly clasping at base, rounded or obtuse at apex, margins finely serrate and usually markedly undulate; longitudinal veins 3–7, the laterals close to margins, with 5–7 pairs of fine transverse or ascending veins; 1–2(3) narrow to broad rows of lacunae bordering the midrib Floating leaf always absent

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules axillary, convolute to shortly united at base, (3)5–12(17) mm long, subtriangular, delicate and translucent, truncate or emarginate at apex, decaying early into fibres

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncles 14–70(125) mm long, 3–8 times as long as fruiting spike, as thick as the stem; spikes cylindrical, (4)10–18 mm long in fruit, with flowers contiguous to shortly distant

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers (3)5–8 in 2–3(5) whorls

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal

Tepals broadly ovate, 1.2–2.1 mm long, green; carpels (2)4

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers 0.7–1.3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruitlets united at base, ovoid, 2–3.6 × 2–2.5 mm (excluding beak), dark-olive or brownish; dorsal keel distinct, ± denticulate and with a basal tooth, lateral keels distinct, obtuse; beak very prominent, 1.5–2.4 mm, 0.5–0.8 times as long as the fruitlet body, ± falcate, tapering from a broad base to a slender apex

Distribution

Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique. Also in North Africa, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Africa, and in Europe, Asia, Australia; introduced in America (from Canada to Argentina) and in New Zealand.

Ecology

In stagnant and slowly flowing water, showing a preference for eutrophic conditions and often gregarious, growing with Potamogeton octandrus, P. richardii ttelia, Nymphaea, etc.; sea level–1200 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes Widely distributed; not threatened.

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution

Naturalizada en Colombia; Alt. 1000 m.; Valle del Cauca.

Morphology General Habit

Hierba, acuática

Conservation

No Evaluada

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164434/120217787

Conservation

LC - least concern