Pondweed Flower

Did you know

• Pondweed flowers poke above the water surface on tiny spikes, relying on wind for pollination rather than insects.
• It produces two completely different leaf shapes: narrow submerged leaves and broad floating leaves, an adaptation called heterophylly.
• The plant provides critical habitat for juvenile fish, aquatic invertebrates, and serves as a major food source for waterfowl.
• Its presence is used by ecologists as an indicator of good water quality, since it declines in polluted waters.
• The genus name Potamogeton comes from the Greek 'potamos' (river) and 'geiton' (neighbor), meaning 'river neighbor.'

Color meanings

Uses

• aquatic habitat restoration
• water garden plantings
• waterfowl food source
• water quality indicator