| SOURCE: The following information on this
species is taken from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Natural Areas and Preserves, Invasive Plants of Ohio Fact Sheet No. 18,
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/invasive/18pondweed.htm. Modifications
include additional pictures and resource information. Check the website link
for future updates. The last update for this fact sheet is January 8, 2003. |
DESCRIPTION:
Curly pondweed is a non-native submerged aquatic plant with oblong leaves alternately
placed on the stem. Leaf margins are wavy and have minute teeth along their
entire length. There are no floating leaves, but a spike of terminal flowers
rises above the water.
HABITAT: Curly
pondweed grows in fresh and brackish streams and ponds, and often occurs with
other non-native invasive species, such as Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum
spicatum).
DISTRIBUTION:
Curly pondweed was introduced from Europe over 150 years ago and its increasing
distribution may be due to migrating water birds. Curly pondweed is common
throughout the United States and is widely distributed in Ohio.
PROBLEM:
Once established, curly pondweed can be an aggressive weed. This plant grows
profusely early in the season, often shading out and inhibiting the growth of
native plants.
For more information
on curly pondweed, contact:
Borman, S. 1997. A field guild to aquatic plants. Wisconsin Lakes Partnership.
Invasive Plant Atlas of New England,
http://invasives.eeb.uconn.edu/ipane/
Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, Inc., http://www.ma-eppc.org
National Invasive Species Information Center,
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov
Schmidt, J.C. 1987. How to identify and control water weeds and algae. Applied
Biochemists, Inc.
USDA - NRCS PLANTS Database, http://plants.usda.gov/
University of Florida, Center for Aquatic Plant Management,
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html
Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide,
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/ptmcr.htm.
Management and
Control Information
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