Curly-leaf pondweed
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| Potamogeton crispus | ||||||||||||||
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 Potamogeton crispus
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| Potamogeton crispus |
Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) is an invasive species of plant to North America originally home to Eurasia. Curly-leaf pondweed is a species of plant which can grow in a variety of aquatic environments. Much of the plant is submersed but some of the leaves may appear above the surface. Though the Eurasian pondweed shares some characteristics with other native pondweeds, it's leaves are serrated and the mature Curly-leaf pondweed leaves appear ruffled. The average stem length can varry from .4 to .8 meters.
[edit] Impact
Though originally from Eurasia, the Curly-Leaf pondweed has found its home in North America and other places. The invasive species has been introduced accidentally to the Great Lakes and inland lakes within that region. The plant thrives in conditions normally less habitable to native plant species. The eurasian pondweed also competes with native plantlife and sometimes displaces the native plantlife. Curly-Leaf Pondweed also inhibits water recreation and is considered a nuisance by many, but has received very little attention after the accidental introduction of Eurasian Millfoil and other invasive species.
