Potamogeton strictifolius

SIMILAR SPECIES: Vegetative material superficially resembles other narrow-leaved pondweeds, especially Potamogeton foliosus and P. friesii. This complex of species is identified by comparison of subtle leaf and stipule characters and by size and shape of fruiting spike.

TOTAL RANGE: Que. to N.W.T., s. locally to MA, NY, OH, IN, WI, NE, AND UT.

STATE RANGE: ERIE CO.: Sandusky Bay, 1898, A. Pieters (US) (specimen cited in Fernald, 1932, and Haynes, 1975). Braun (1967) also lists this species from Ottawa and Summit counties, but the basis for these reports is not known.

STATE STATUS: 1980 to present: Presumed Extirpated.

HABITAT: Calcareous waters; lakes, ponds, estuaries; occasionally to depth of 6 m.

HAZARDS: Mechanical disturbance of lake bottoms; turbidity.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Unknown, probably poor.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect fruiting material with a representative length of stem; leave rhizome intact.

COMMENTS: The narrow-leaved pondweeds are extremely similar to one another and difficult to identify except in fruiting condition. Therefore, this species may still be extant and merely overlooked or misidentified. However, its natural habitat in Ohio has been severely altered or destroyed. It should be sought in appropriate habitats throughout northern Ohio.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

Braun, E.L. 1967. The Monocotyledonae of Ohio : Cat-tails to orchids. The Ohio State Univ. Press, Columbus, OH.

Fernald, M.L. 1932. The linear-leaved North American species of Potamogeton section Axillares. Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts & Sci. 17: 1-183.

Haynes, R.R. 1974. A revision of North American Potamogeton subsection Pusillii (Potamogetonaceae). Rhodora 76: 564-649.

Hellquist, C.B. and G.E. Crow. 1980. Aquatic vascular plants of New England: Part 1. Zosteraxeae, Potamogetonaceae, Zannichelliaceae, Najadaceae. New Hampshire Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 515. 68 p.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Created: 3/1985 Allison W. Cusick

Database Code: SPGC.H60