Potamogeton coloratus
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Potamogeton coloratus

Fen pondweed · Plantain-Leaved Pondweed

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Water every
7 days
Temperature
5–35 °C
Hardiness
Zone 5–9
Click count
17
Observations
34

Description

Source: leafsnap

Potamogeton coloratus, commonly known as grass-wrack pondweed, is a species of aquatic plant in the family Potamogetonaceae. This perennial plant thrives in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It features long, narrow leaves that are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, which are dark green and have a smooth texture. During the summer, the grass-wrack pondweed produces small greenish-white flowers that grow on spikes above the water's surface. These flowers eventually yield small fruits containing seeds, which can be dispersed by water currents. This aquatic plant plays a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems by providing habitat for fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients from the surrounding waters. Potamogeton coloratus is widely distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It can be found growing either submerged or floating on the surface of still or slow-moving waters, at depths of up to 5 meters. In summary, this species is valuable for its ability to absorb excess nutrients, making it an important component of many wetland restoration projects worldwide.

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days
Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Full sun

Fen pondweed comes from habitats that receive plenty of sunlight, such as the shallow edges of ponds and lakes. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–35°C

Fen pondweed can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but its distribution may still be restricted by different combinations of water and heat. It grows best in warm summer climates when there is sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather, as well as prolonged high temperatures, can make Fen pondweed more likely to die. In winter, protecting it from cold can increase its chances of survival.

Ideal temperature: 5–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Potamogeton
Family
Potamogetonaceae
Hardiness Zone
5-9
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 49 cm
Leaf Color
Olive Drab, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.25 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Sweden, Austria, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Poland, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Morocco, Jamaica, Bahamas, Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Haiti, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Albania, Ireland, United Kingdom, Romania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Netherlands

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Fen pondweed
en Plantain-Leaved Pondweed