Elodea canadensis Canadian Pondweed, Canadian waterweed PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Elodea canadensis is a PERENNIAL. It is in flower from May to October, and the seeds ripen from July to October. The species is 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 is pollinated by Water. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Anacharis canadensis. Planch.

Plant Habitats

Pond;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

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].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

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.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Utah) EUROPE: Russian Federation (Astrakhan, Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Michx.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


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

Elodea canadensis - Michx.