Slender Pondweed
Potamogeton pusillus

Slender pondweed is an underwater grass with long, thin, grass-like leaves along slender, branching stems. It grows in quiet, fresh to slightly brackish creeks, rivers and other tidal tributaries throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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Slender pondweed leaves on a white background with a quarter, showing that the leaves are very thin and long relative to their width, but overall small.
Slender pondweed (Potamogeton pusillus). (Photo courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

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Appearance

Slender pondweed is made up of long, thin, grass-like leaves. Leaves have pointed tips and a visible midrib (primary vein in the leaf). Some leaves have a purplish tint. Leaves are arranged alternately along slender, branching stems.

In late summer, whorls of 3 to 5 flowers bloom at the end of spikes that grow in the leaf axil. Slender pondweed has a root-rhizome system.

Predators

Migratory waterfowl feed on slender pondreed.

Reproduction and life cycle

Asexual reproduction occurs when buds made of dense clumps of leaves fall off, overwinter, and form new plants in spring. Sexual reproduction takes place in late summer. Flowers are fertilized underwater and produce smooth rounded seeds.

Did you know?

  • Slender pondweed is also known as small pondweed.
  • Migratory waterfowl feed on slender pondweed.
  • It can be confused with sago pondweed, horned pondweed and widgeon grass. Slender pondweed can be distinguished by the slight purplish tint on some leaves.

Sources and additional information

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