Potamogeton natans
L.
Broad-leaved pondweed
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Adam Schneider, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Adam Schneider
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Dawson Vezey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Dawson Vezey
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-sa
(c) Bas Kers (NL), some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
Summary
Source: WikipediaPotamogeton natans, commonly known as broad-leaved pondweed, floating pondweed, or floating-leaf pondweed, is an aquatic species in the genus Potamogeton native to quiet or slow-flowing freshwater habitats throughout the Holarctic Kingdom.
Description
A herb that grows in water. The leaves are of 2 types. The leaves under the water are small and narrow and 2 mm wide. The floating leaves are leathery and have long stalks. They are 5-9 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. The stalk is 6 cm long. The flower spike is 4.5 cm long.
Edible Uses
The root is edible raw or cooked, with a nutty, starchy flavour. Young branches produced from the rhizome are also edible, though no further preparation details are recorded.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is febrifuge and resolvent.
Distribution
It grows in temperate and Arctic regions. In Pakistan it grows in high altitude Himalayas regions. It grows in lakes and ponds and is usually in slightly acid water.
Where It Grows
Afghanistan, Africa, Britain, Canada, Central Asia, China, Europe, Georgia, Himalayas, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, Tajikistan, Tibet, USA, Uzbekistan,
Cultivation
A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun. Succeeds in acid or calcareous conditions. 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. Fish like to spawn amongst this plant.
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.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 100 Potamogeton species.
Synonyms
References (5)
- Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 680
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Sp. pl. 1:126. 1753
- Urgamal, M., et al, 2014, Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Mongolia. Mongolia Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany and National University of Mongolia Department of Biology. p 39
