Common Waterweed
Elodea canadensis

Common waterweed is an underwater grass that grows in slow-moving, fresh waters throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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A closeup of common waterweed shows leaves growing in whorls of three around a slender stem.
The common waterweed has slender, branching stems and tiny, narrow leaves. (Photo courtesy of Jason Headley/iNaturalist CC BY-NC, toned)

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Appearance

The common waterweed has slender, branching stems and tiny, narrow leaves. The leaves are straight or oval-shaped and grow in whorls of three along each stem. Whorls become more crowded toward the tip of the stems. Leaves have extremely tiny teeth that may only be visible under magnification.

From July through September, tiny flowers grow on long stalks from a tubular structure at the leaf axil. Common waterweed has a weak, thread-like root system.

Predators

Migratory waterfowl, especially ducks, feed on the common waterweed, as do muskrats and beavers.

Reproduction and life cycle

This grass usually reproduces asexually when stem fragments bud and grow into new plants. It rarely reproduces sexually because male plants are very uncommon. When sexual reproduction occurs, the plants produce cylindrical pods that contain several seeds.

Did you know?

  • Common waterweed is also known as Canadian waterweed.
  • Migratory waterfowl, especially ducks, feed on the common waterweed, as do muskrats and beavers.
  • It provides habitat for fish, amphibians and aquatic invertebrates.
  • Common waterweed can be confused with hydrilla or Brazilian waterweed. You can distinguish common waterweed by its leaves, which grow in whorls of three and do not have visible teeth.

Sources and additional information

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