Curled pondweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• curled pondweed
• curly pondweed
• curly-leaved pondweed
• curly-leaf pondweed
• Crisp-leaved Pondweed
• Crisped Pondweed
• Wavy-Leaved Pondweed
• crispy-leaved pondweed
• curlyleaf pondweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Potamogeton crispus f. serrulatus
• Potamogeton crispus var. macrorrhynchus
• Potamogeton crispus var. planifolius
• Potamogeton rubricans
• Potamogeton lactucaceus
• Potamogeton crispus var. najadoides
• Potamogeton crispus f. gemmifer
• Potamogeton crispus var. phialiensis
• Potamogeton notarisii
• Potamogeton leptophyllus
• Potamogeton macrorrhynchus
• Potamogeton rubrinaevus
• Potamogeton pallidior
• Potamogeton hohenackeri
• Potamogeton hungaricus
• Potamogeton concinnitus
• Potamogeton austriacus
• Potamogeton crispus subsp. angustifolius
• Potamogeton crispus var. gemmifer
• Potamogeton crispus var. laevis
• Potamogeton crispus var. serrulatus
• Potamogeton crispus var. serratus
• Potamogeton crenulatus
• Potamogeton crispatus
• Buccaferrea crispata
• Potamogeton tuberosus
• Potamogeton serrulatus
• Potamogeton crispus f. longifolius
• Potamogeton crispus var. acutifolius
• Potamogeton crispus var. obtusifolius
• Potamogeton crispus f. angustifolius
• Potamogeton crispus f. latifolius
• Potamogeton crispus var. planifolius
• Potamogeton crispus var. sinuatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Alismatales, it is specifically situated in the family Potamogetonaceae. Its scientific classification concludes with the genus Potamogeton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of the European continent. Its presence is documented throughout various regions of Northern Europe, including the coastal and inland waters of Denmark. It can also be found growing in the aquatic environments of Finland and Norway. Additionally, this species is distributed across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for the northern temperate climate.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Potamogeton crispus is characterized by its preference for diverse aquatic environments, where it is commonly found inhabiting canals, lakes, and swamps. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to colonize various landscapes ranging from sea level to significant heights. Specifically, its elevational range extends from a minimum of 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 2300 m AMSL, with a mean elevation of approximately 1400 m AMSL. This wide vertical range indicates a high degree of adaptability to different temperature regimes and atmospheric pressures found across various aquatic ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, lakes, swamps

Life history

The life history of Potamogeton crispus is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons within its aquatic habitat. As a hydrophyte, it is specifically adapted to life in water, utilizing its specialized structures to thrive in submerged or floating environments. Its survival strategy is further defined by its classification as a cryptophyte, relying on protected underground or underwater organs to endure unfavorable conditions. Additionally, the plant exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its foliage and physiological activity throughout its life cycle rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

hydrophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Potamogeton crispus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This aquatic species is self-supporting rather than being a climber or a liana, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. As a terrestrial-based aquatic plant, it does not exhibit epiphytic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant demonstrates significant variability in height, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 2 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Potamogeton crispus is characterized by specialized adaptations for an aquatic environment, utilizing a C4 photosynthetic pathway to optimize carbon fixation. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on its morphological structures to manage light interception and gas exchange, featuring leaves with a mean size of 1.92333 cm². The leaf dimensions exhibit significant variability, with a mean width of 5 cm and a maximum width reaching 1.5 cm, while leaf length can extend up to a maximum of 12 cm. To facilitate efficient light capture relative to its biomass, the plant maintains a high mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 605.67 cm²/g, a physiological trait indicative of thin, broad leaves optimized for submerged or floating life cycles.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf size mean:

1.92333 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

605.67 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Potamogeton crispus is characterized by a complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors within its aquatic environment. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in September, during which the plant utilizes both abiotic and biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving water and insect vectors. Notably, self-fertilization is absent, necessitating these external agents for successful sexual reproduction. The plant produces fruit classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent in nature and possesses a mean fruit length of 0.4 cm. The resulting seeds are remarkably consistent in size, with a mean, minimum, and maximum length of 3 mm. Following fertilization, the dispersal of these seeds is primarily hydrochorous, relying on water currents to transport them to new habitats. Furthermore, the plant does not engage in asexual reproduction, relying entirely on its sexual reproductive cycle for propagation.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length mean:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

water

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Potamogeton crispus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CR.

CR

1. Environmental monitoring and assessment