Practical
Plants

Potamogeton pectinatus

Fennel-Leaved Pondweed

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Water
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Water

Uses

Edible uses

Leaves and stems[2]. No more details are given. Root - raw[2]. It tastes like nuts[9]. The outer rind should be removed[9].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of a feverish liver[7].

Product or use
Hepatic

Environment

Range
An almost cosmopolitan plant, found in most areas of the world including Britain.
Habitat
Ponds, rivers, canals, ditches etc, especially in base-rich waters in lowland areas, avoiding acid conditions and shade[3][4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
aquatic
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a pot that is standing in its own depth of water in a greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if this is possible. Stored seed is likely to have a short viability. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and increase the depth of water around the pot until the plants are covered by a few centimetres of water. Grow the plants on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter, increasing the depth of water as the plants grow larger. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring[8]. Cuttings of erect shoots in the growing season[8].

Cultivation

A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds[1]. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun[5]. A polymorphic species[4]. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond[5]. It provides a very good food source for ducks and other water fowl[6]. Plants do not flower every year[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile[5].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩1↩2

  7. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  8. Muhlberg. H. Complete Guide to Water Plants. E. P. Publishing Ltd. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-7158-0789-7

    ↩1↩2

  9. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2

Edit this page