| Potamogeton gramineus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Potamogetonaceae |
| Genus: | Potamogeton |
| Species: | P. gramineus |
| Binomial name | |
| Potamogeton gramineus L. |
|
Potamogeton gramineus is a species of aquatic plant known by the common name variableleaf pondweed. It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere, where it grows in water bodies such as ponds, lakes, bogs, and streams. It may be found elsewhere as an introduced species. This is a perennial herb growing from a matted rhizome that anchors in wet substrate. It produces a thin, cylindrical or flattened stem growing over a meter in maximum length with several short branches. Leaves growing underwater are narrow and linear in shape and up to 11 centimeters long. Floating leaves are more oval in shape, up to 7 centimeters long by 3 wide, and borne on long petioles. The inflorescence is a short spike of many flowers arising from the water on a stout peduncle. This species readily hybridizes with many other species of Potamogeton.