POTAMOGETON ZOSTERIFORMIS Fern.

Flat-stemmed Pondweed

 

 

FAMILY: Potamogetonaceae (Zosteraceae, Najadaceae)

HABIT: Submersed aquatic with wing-flattened stem and parallel-sided, grass-like leaves; flowering July-September; fruiting August-October.

SIMILAR SPECIES: Resembling P. robbinsii, but differing in that stipules are not at all adnate to the leaves.

TOTAL RANGE: Que. to n. Alta. and s. B.C., s. to VA, WV, OH, IN, ne. IL, IA, NE, nw. MN, and n. CA.

STATE RANGE: There are post-1950 specimens from shallow waters of lakes and ponds in Champaign, Geauga, Logan, Ottawa, Portage, Stark, Summit, and Williams counties.

STATE STATUS: 1980-1983: Threatened, 1984 to present: Potentially Threatened.

HABITAT: Shallow to deep (7 m.) waters of lakes, rivers, creeks, and wet swales.

HAZARDS: Unknown, but perhaps turbidity or mechanical disturbance.

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Presumed good, owing to the species' wide range of habitats and its present scattered occurrences in the state.

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Every effort should be made to obtain fruiting specimens; however, in the absence of fertile material, sterile specimens should be collected.

COMMENTS: This species should be sought in suitable habitats, with special emphasis in western counties.

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

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

Ogden, E.C. 1974. Potamogeton in New York. New York St. Museum Bull. No. 423. Albany, NY. 20 p.

 

 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Created: 1/1983 Jim Marshall

Database Code: SPGC.B18