Elodea canadensis Canadian Pondweed PFAF Plant Database

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Elodea canadensis - Michx.

Common Name

Canadian Pondweed

Family

Hydrocharitaceae

Synonyms

Anacharis canadensis. Planch.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Waters, mostly calcareous, of lakes and rivers from sea level to 2000 metres in America[270]. Slow-moving fresh water throughout most of Britain[17].

Range

N. America - Alaska to California east to Quebec and Virginia. Naturalized in Britain[17].

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Elodea canadensis is a PERENNIAL. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Water.The plant is not self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elodea_canadensis1_ies.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:482_Elodea_canadensis.jpg

Habitats
Pond;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. An infusion of the plant has been used as a strong emetic[257].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

A floating, submerged plant, growing well in slowly-moving water and also succeeding in ponds[257]. Plants grow more vigorously when able to root into the mud of the pond[200]. This species, when first introduced into British waterways in the mid nineteenth century, spread rapidly to become a great peat, blocking many waterways[17]. It then seemed to lose its vigour and is now widespread but seldom abundant[17]. Most of the plants grown in Britain are a female clone[17]. Plants perennate by means of overwintering buds that sink to the bottom of the pond in the autumn and then commence growing in the spring.

Propagation

Seed - seldom produced in Britain, if it is obtained it should not be allowed to dry out and is best sown immediately in water. Division can be carried out at almost any time in the growing season. Simply break off a bit of plant and place in water - it will soon produce roots. The stem can be weighted with something like a stone and then thrown into a pond to allow the stems to root into the mud.

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Expert comment

Author
Michx.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[257]Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany

Very comprehensive but terse guide to the native uses of plants. Excellent bibliography, fully referenced to each plant, giving a pathway to further information. Not for the casual reader.

[270] Flora of N. America

An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Ralf	Mon Apr 28 08:51:17 2003

One should note that Elodea canadensis is an important food for ducks and other water birds. The plant has two German names which are rather interesting: "Wasserpest" ("water pest") hints to its invasive character, while "Entenflott" ("duck float") is linked to its floating existance on small ponds and its use as duck foot. Ralf

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