Clasping leaf pondweed, clasped pondweed
Potamogeton perfoliatus is rarely found growing in the brackish or fresh water of ponds, lakes and streams of Polk and Wakulla counties. It blooms from spring to fall (Wunderlin, 2003). Clasped pondweed is a native submersed plant. It grows vigorously in fresh and brackish waters of Florida. It may be found in fast- or slow-moving waterways.
For brief control information, see Efficacy of Herbicide Active Ingredients Against Aquatic Weeds (EDIS Pub #SS-AGR-44)
Clasped pondweed grows from a network of rhizomes. Stems are from 1 to 10 feet long. Its leaves are characteristically perfoliate. This means that the lobes of the leaves clasp or surround the stem. The leaves are rounded, with wavy margins.They are 1 to 3 inches long and an inch or so wide. The flower heads of clasped pondweed are similar to those of other pondweeds. The flowers are on spikes that are about an inch long. The spikes may be found above or below the water surface. The flowers are greenish-brown and arranged in whorls around the spike. Clasped pondweed has brownish stems its leaves clasp the stems, the leaves are small, with wavy margins, the flower spike has small green greenish flowers arranged in whorls.
