PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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

Algae-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton confervoides)

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Photo by William S. Alverson

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Algae-leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton confervoides), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in shallow water of acidic inland lakes. Blooming occurs throughout July, fruiting early-August through early-September. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout August.

Potamogeton tuckermanii

 
 
 

Algae-leaved pondweed is a submergent aquatic forb with elongate peduncles elongate, most 5-25cm, a head-shaped spike with few flowers, 5-12mm. Its achenes are swollen, broadly obovoid, 2-3mm, with a sharp dorsal keel flanked by a pair or more obscure ones. It has numerous very slender, 1-veined leaves, all submersed very soft and delicate, flat, 2-5cm long by 0.25mm wide, tapering to a hair-like tip. Stipular sheaths are axillary, obtuse, 1-5cm.

pondweed is a submergent aquatic forb

Rhizomatous. Blooming occurs throughout July, fruiting early-August through early-September.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout August.

Associated species include Isoetes species, Eriocaulon septangulare, Najas flexilis, Nuphar species, Brasenia schreberi, Myriophyllum species, and Utricularia species.

Algae-leaved pondweed is found in shallow water of acidic inland lakes.

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.

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.