The aquatic plant, American Pondweed or Potamogeton nodosus, varies in size with its floating oval leaves ranging from 4 to 7 inches long and up to 2 inches wide on long petioles. The blade-like submerged lanceolate leaves are sparse, transparent and much smaller. This perennial plant produces fruits typically seen above the water’s surface on spikes. Fruit color ranges from a brown to reddish tone, 3 to 21 inches long and approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inches wide. Resembling a mat-like appearance on the surface, American Pondweed provides abundant food and habitat for residing micro and macro invertebrates. It is a hardy weed with fast-growing tendencies. Its dense coverage can block sunlight to submerged plant species.
