Canadian Pondweed - introduced (*Elodea canadensis)

Family: Hydrocharitaceae.

Native of North America.

Occurrence: A widespread weed of still and flowing water, growing in water to a depth of up to 3 metres or more.

Identification:

• it grows submerged in the water
• it is much branched, often with roots at the branch bases
• the leaves are small (about a centimetre long), stalkless, and in threes (or occasionally fours)
• the leaves are green, but often appear brownish because of a coating of other organisms.

Although an introduced plant, it is usually beneficial. The coating of bacteria, algae etc help remove toxins and impurities from the water. In cold climates it is usually not a problem plant. In New South Wales it may clog water channels. It spreads from fragments of the plant. The small flowers are on long slender stalk.

Photos: 1, 2: Canadian Pondweed. Kyneton. 3,4: Canadian Pondweed from the Campaspe River at Kyneton. The Canadian Pondweed is submerged