Potamogeton zosteriformis Fernald
eel-grass pondweed (flatstem pondweed)
Potamogetonaceae (Horned pondweed family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

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Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Potamogeton zosteriformis
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Species Information

General:
Perennial, aquatic herb from fine, tufted roots; stems up to 130 cm long, strongly compressed, flattened, branched.
Leaves:
All submersed, linear, the sides parallel, stiff, olive green, 10-20 cm long, 0.2-0.5 cm wide, unstalked, usually with 7 to 15 veins, attached at the nodes, tapering to pointed tips, the stipules 1.5-3.5 cm long, the margins overlapping, straight, smooth.
Flowers:
Inflorescence spikelike, the spikes 1.5-3 cm long, with 5 to 9 whorls of flowers, the stalks thin.
Fruits:
Achenes, egg-shaped, 4-5 mm long, 3-3.5 mm wide, the beaks conspicuous, the keels winged.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Green
Blooming Period:
Mid Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Green
Present from Summer to Fall
Source:  The USDA

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Potamogeton zosteriformis

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
1117 1117 1118
Slope Gradient (%)
0 0 0

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

0
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
8 8 8
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
B
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
4
Modal BEC Zone Class
SBPS

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

CDF(1), SBPS(3)

Habitat and Range

Lakes in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, infrequent in coastal BC; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to ME, MA, NY, VA, OH, IN, IL, IA, NE, WY, UT, ID and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Potamogeton compressus auct. non L.
Potamogeton zosterifolius subsp. zosteriformis (Fernald) HultΘn