Potamogeton perfoliatum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• clasping-leaved pondweed
• perfoliate pondweed
• clasped pondweed
• Clasping-leaf pondweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Buccaferrea amplexicaulis
• Potamogeton alatofructus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. rotundifolius
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. bupleuroides
• Potamogeton perfoliatus subsp. bupleuroides
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. lanceolatus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. mandshuriensis
• Potamogeton juzepczukii
• Potamogeton bupleuroides
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. ovatolanceolatus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. macrophyllus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. exornatus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. acutifolius
• Potamogeton fulvus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. lacustris
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. muelleri
• Potamogeton amplexicaulis
• Peltopsis perfoliata
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. minor
• Potamogeton loeselii
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. imbecillus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. densifolius
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. longifolius
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. lancifolius
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. simplex
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. rotundifolius
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. ovatus
• Spirillus perfoliatus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. ovatolanceolatus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus f. prolixus
• Potamogeton perfoliatus var. loeselii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Potamogeton perfoliatus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Alismatales and the family Potamogetonaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes with its placement in the genus Potamogeton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Potamogeton perfoliatus, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern reaches of Europe. It can be found growing in the waters of Denmark and Finland within the Northern European region. Its presence extends to the Faroe Islands, further diversifying its geographical range. Additionally, the species is documented throughout Great Britain. Finally, its habitat includes the unique aquatic environments of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Potamogeton perfoliatus is characterized by its preference for diverse aquatic environments, where it typically establishes itself within canals, lakes, and rivers. This species occupies a significant altitudinal breadth, demonstrating a high degree of adaptability to varying topographical settings. Its distribution spans an elevational range from a minimum of 400 m AMSL to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL, allowing it to thrive in both lowland water bodies and high-altitude lacustrine or fluvial systems.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

400 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, lakes, rivers

Life history

The life history of Potamogeton perfoliatus is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized underground structures to survive unfavorable conditions, while its specific ecological positioning aligns with the life form of a chamaephyte. In terms of its foliage and seasonal presence, the plant exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its biological activity and structural integrity across varying environmental shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Potamogeton perfoliatus is characterized by its aquatic growth habit, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. As a non-woody herb and forb, it exhibits a self-supporting growth form rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. The plant is terrestrial in its ecological classification relative to epiphytic habits but is primarily adapted to aquatic environments. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

aquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Potamogeton perfoliatus is characterized by its specialized adaptations to aquatic environments, primarily utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a distinct leaf morphology, with a maximum leaf length of 1 cm and a maximum leaf width of 0.6 cm, resulting in a mean leaf size of 6.425 cm². Its leaf structure is optimized for efficient resource acquisition in submerged conditions, as evidenced by a high mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 857.5 cm²/g, which reflects thin, expansive tissues designed to maximize surface area for gas exchange and light absorption. Furthermore, the species is strictly non-carnivorous, relying entirely on autotrophic processes and nutrient uptake from the surrounding water column rather than the capture of prey.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf size mean:

6.425 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

857.5 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Potamogeton perfoliatus is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as both self-fertilization and asexual reproduction are noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August, following an abiotic pollination syndrome specifically adapted to water. The resulting fruit is classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.003523 g and a recorded mass ranging between 0.003523 g and 0.00383 g. Following maturation, the dispersal of the species is governed by a hydrochorous syndrome, utilizing water as the primary medium for transporting seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

drupe

Pollination syndrome :

water

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.00383 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003523 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Potamogeton perfoliatus 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

Activities

Potamogeton perfoliatus has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.

Analgesic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Potamogeton perfoliatus has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include nociception, oxidative stress.

Nociception

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Oxidative stress

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Potamogeton perfoliatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extract.

Extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)