Shining pondweed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Shining Pondweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Potamogeton lucens subsp. zizii
• Potamogeton lucens var. cornutus
• Potamogeton lucens var. zizii
• Potamogeton lucens subsp. sinicus
• Potamogeton lucens var. acuminatus
• Potamogeton lucens f. acuminatus
• Potamogeton lucens var. longifolius
• Potamogeton zizii
• Potamogeton volhynicus
• Potamogeton lindenbergii
• Potamogeton sinicus
• Potamogeton lucens f. excelsus
• Potamogeton lucens var. corniculatus
• Potamogeton lucens var. fluviatilis
• Potamogeton lucens var. fluitans
• Potamogeton gaudichaudii
• Potamogeton zizii f. pulcherrimus
• Potamogeton corniculatus
• Potamogeton cornutus
• Potamogeton americanus
• Potamogeton acuminatus
• Spirillus zizii
• Spirillus lucens
• Potamogeton lucens subsp. macrophyllus
• Potamogeton lucens subsp. vaginans
• Potamogeton lucens var. ovalifolius
• Buccaferrea lucida
• Potamogeton longifolius
• Potamogeton lucens var. diversifolius
• Potamogeton macrophyllus
• Potamogeton lucens var. angustifolius
• Potamogeton lucens var. lancifolius
• Potamogeton gramineus subsp. zizii
• Potamogeton lucens var. nudus
• Potamogeton proteus lucens
• Potamogeton proteus zizii
• Potamogeton lucens var. vulgare
• Potamogeton lucens f. ovalifolius
• Potamogeton pseudolongifolius
• Potamogeton lucens f. lancifolius
• Potamogeton lucens var. cuspidatum
• Potamogeton lucens var. heterophyllum
• Potamogeton lucens var. mucronatus
• Potamogeton lucens f. macrophyllus
• Potamogeton lucens f. insignis
• Potamogeton lucens subvar. insignis
• Potamogeton lucens var. insignis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Potamogeton luceus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Alismatales. Finally, it is a member of the family Potamogetonaceae and falls under the genus Potamogeton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Potamogeton lucens, exhibits a specific range within the northern regions of Europe. Its presence is documented across several key territories including Denmark and Finland. Furthermore, the species can be found inhabiting the waters of Great Britain. It also extends its distribution southward to include the island of Ireland. Finally, its geographical reach encompasses the coastal and inland areas of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Potamogeton luceus is defined by its preference for aquatic environments, specifically thriving within the stable waters of lakes and rivers. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, typically found at middle-to-high elevations. Its distribution spans a significant vertical range, with a minimum elevation of 1400 m AMSL and a maximum reaching up to 2700 m AMSL, resulting in a mean elevation of approximately 2000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2700 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1400 m AMSL

Habitat :

lakes, rivers

Life history

The life history of Potamogeton lucens is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its aquatic habitat over multiple growing seasons. Functioning as a cryptophyte, it relies on protected underground or submerged structures to survive unfavorable conditions, while its morphological classification as a chamaephyte reflects its growth habit relative to the substrate. Throughout its existence, the species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional within its submerged environment.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Potamogeton lucens is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It is strictly an aquatic plant, existing as a terrestrial-based species that thrives in water, and it is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or vine. The plant exhibits a significant vertical range in its stature, with a plant height that can reach a minimum of 0.6 m and extend to a maximum of 3 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Potamogeton lucens is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common adaptation among many aquatic macrophytes. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of 22.215 cm², which facilitates efficient light interception within its aquatic environment. It is classified as a non-carnivorous species, relying on standard nutrient uptake rather than the capture of prey. Furthermore, it possesses a high mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 685.9 cm²/g, indicating relatively thin, high-surface-area foliage optimized for gas exchange and light absorption in submerged or floating conditions.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

22.215 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

685.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Potamogeton lucens is characterized by sexual processes via bisexual flowers, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August. The plant utilizes abiotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on a combination of wind and water to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is absent in this species, necessitating cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces fruit classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent. Each fruit contains a significant quantity of seeds, ranging from 11 to 100 seeds per fruit. The seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.005195 g, a minimum mass of 0.00535 g, and a maximum mass of 0.00536 g. Dispersal is strictly hydrochorous, meaning the seeds are distributed through water movement, which is consistent with its aquatic nature.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

water

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00536 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005195 g

Seed mass min:

0.00535 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Potamogeton lucens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, rhamnose.

arabinose

1. Food science & nutrition

galactose

1. Food science & nutrition

glucose

1. Food science & nutrition

mannose

1. Food science & nutrition

rhamnose

1. Food science & nutrition

sulfate

1. Food science & nutrition

xylose

1. Food science & nutrition

Preparations

Potamogeton lucens has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude polysaccharides.

Crude polysaccharides

1. Food science & nutrition