NAIADACE^E PONDWEED FAMILY 



Potamogeton pectinatus, L. 



Green Pondweed, 



July-August Fennel-leaved Pondweed. 



Potamogeton: an ancient Greek derivative, meaning the 

 river's neighbour, in allusion to the habitat of the plants. 



Pectinatus: from Latin for comb-like, referring here to the 

 thread-like segments of the leaves, like the teeth of a comb. 



THE PREFERRED HABITAT: slightly brackish water. 



THE PLANT: floating, one foot to three feet long; the stems 

 slender, much branched, and repeatedly forking. 



THE LEAVES: alternate; thread-like; one inch to six inches 

 long. 



THE FLOWERS: tiny, in circles around the stem. 

 THE FRUIT: tiny drupelets. 



Around the borders of a full pond, the surface of the 

 w r ater is covered with dense growths of these forking 

 branches, that have long, green, and thread-like leaves. 



Eleven other members of the Pondweed Family have 

 been reported. 



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