PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
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Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Water-thread Pondweed (Potamogeton diversifolius)

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Photo by Graves Lovell

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Water-thread Pondweed (Potamogeton diversifolius), a Wisconsin Special Concern plant, is found in shallow water. Blooming occurs from late-June through July, fruiting late-July through early-September. The optimal identification period for this species is mid-July through early-September.

Potamogeton capillaceus

 
 
 
Identification

Water-thread pondweed is an emergent aquatic forb with dimorphic spikes dimorphic, the axillary to submersed leaves are globular to ellipsoid, with 1-15 flowers on slightly club-shaped peduncles and the axillary to floating leaves are more cylindric, sometimes to 3cm with 5-120 flowers, on peduncles 3-32mm. Its fruits are compressed, 1-2mm, with a minute beak, the entire or toothed dorsal keel usually flanked by a pair of lateral keels that may be represented only by a row of teeth. The embryo is snail-coiled. Submersed leaves are linear to filiform, 1-10cm long by 0.1-0.5mm wide, 1- or 3-veined, floating leaves, when produced, are lance-elliptic to roundish, acute to rounded at each end, 5-40mm long by 2-20mm wide, with 3-17 veins that are strongly impressed beneath. Stipular sheaths are membranous, 2-18mm, and free from the 5-40mm petiole.

Phenology and Reproduction

Blooming occurs late-June through July, fruiting late-July through early September.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is mid-July through early-September.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Utricularia species, Potamogeton species, and Eleocharis smallii.

Habitat

Water-thread pondweed is found in shallow water.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

This species is likely sensitive to water quality. Following BMPs around streams and buffering associated drainages will reduce eutrophication and prevent water quality degradation.

Wildlife Action Plan

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

For more information, contact

Kevin Doyle
Conservation Biologist
tel:+1-608-416-3377