Stuckenia pectinata

Comb - leaved pondweed ( Potamogeton pectinatus )

The comb - leaved pondweed ( Potamogeton pectinatus ) is a constantly submerged aquatic plant of the family of the pondweed family ( Potamogetonaceae ). Some authors the species is recently performed under the name " Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Börner ". It is a typical inhabitants of many lakes and slow-flowing waters. By forming tubers or underground runners also a vegetative reproduction can take place. The flowers are pollinated by the wind or by water. The spread of floating fruit occurs almost exclusively through the water. Not infrequently, the fruit can but stick, for example, the plumage of birds, and are supported in this way to other places.

Occurrence

The comb - leaf pondweed is present in all Antarctic austral or boreal climate zones to the northern and southern hemisphere spread the earth, its occurrence is therefore not limited to Germany and Europe. In the Alps it is found at altitudes of 1600 meters. The comb - pondweed is Kennart the order of plants Potamogetonetalia pectinati. It is found in both oligo - and eutrophic in slow-flowing or stagnant waters. Not infrequently, it has also been found in highly polluted waters. Since it is somewhat salt- tolerant, it may also occur on quiet bays of the coast. It usually grows on rich soils and requires water depths from 20 to 350 cm.

Identifying

The comb - leaf pondweed is a variable and diverse, mostly deciduous plant that can grow up to 3 m long. Its rhizome is only about 2 mm thick, and can form pea-sized tubers. The stem is branched broom-like. The narrow, flaccid, thread-like or hair-like to narrowly linealischen leaves are one-to five - annoying, the lateral nerves inconspicuous and lateral nerves are clearly developed. The leaves are generally no wider than 3 mm. The leaf sheaths are united with the base of the leaf, which is a feature within the plant genus of the pond weeds.

The comb - pondweed blooms from May to September. The individual flowers are combined in one aged men inflorescence, which is about 2 to 5 cm long, is first sealed and can be interrupted later. The ears of corn stalk may be between 2 and 10 cm long. The approximately 3 x 3 mm small fruits are indistinctly keeled, with a short beak.

In Central Europe are distinguished as varieties or subspecies:

• Potamogeton pectinatus pectinatus with very narrow, more than 1 mm wide, 1- annoying, pointed ending leaves
• Potamogeton pectinatus zosteraceus with wider, 3 - to 5 - annoying leaves, which have a rounded tip.

The clan Potamogeton helveticus could be a hybrid between the comb - pondweed and the thread - leaved pondweed ( Potamogeton filiformis ). The chromosome number is 2n = 26

Documents

• Henning Haeupler, Thomas Muer: Image Atlas of ferns and flowering plants in Germany. Ulmer, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-8001-3364-4, p 575
• Erich Oberdorfer: Phytosociological Exkursionsflora. 7 edition. Ulmer, Stuttgart 1994, ISBN 3-8252-1828-7, page 102