Potamogeton natans Broad-Leaved Pondweed PFAF Plant Database

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Potamogeton natans - L.

Common Name

Broad-Leaved Pondweed

Family

Potamogetonaceae

Synonyms

P. hibernicus.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Lakes, ponds and ditches, especially on a highly organic substratum, usually in water less than 1 metre deep[17].

Range

Much of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Potamogeton natans is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. It is in flower from May to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.


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Habitats
Pond;

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root; Stem. Edible Uses: Root - raw or cooked[61, 85, 103]. A nutty flavour[74]. Starchy[105, 115]. Young branches that are produced from the rhizome[103]. No more details are given.

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. Febrifuge; Resolvent. The plant is febrifuge and resolvent[218].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds[1]. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun[200]. Succeeds in acid or calcareous conditions. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile[200]. Fish like to spawn amongst this plant[74].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a pot that is standing in its own depth of water in a greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if this is possible. Stored seed is likely to have a short viability. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and increase the depth of water around the pot until the plants are covered by a few centimetres of water. Grow the plants on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter, increasing the depth of water as the plants grow larger. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring[56]. Cuttings of erect shoots in the growing season[56].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

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

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

[56]Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants.

Deals with a wide range of plants for temperate areas (and indoor aquaria) with quite a lot of information on cultivation techniques.

[61]Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.

Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[74]Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR.

An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.

[85]Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains.

A superb book. Very readable, it gives the results of the authors experiments with native edible plants.

[103]Haywood. V. H. Flowering Plants of the World.

Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.

[105]Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World.

The most comprehensive guide to edible plants I've come across. Only the briefest entry for each species, though, and some of the entries are more than a little dubious. Not for the casual reader.

[115]Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.

[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.

[218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China

Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

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