Potamogeton natans - Broad-Leaved Pondweed

Family:	Potamogetonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:	P. hibernicus.
Range:	Much of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.

Potamogeton natans (Broad-Leaved Pondweed) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 0.
Broad-Leaved Pondweed will flower in November to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Broad-Leaved Pondweed will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Broad-Leaved Pondweed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Broad-Leaved Pondweed should not be planted in shady areas.

Lakes, ponds and ditches, especially on a highly organic substratum, usually in water less than 1 metre deep[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant

Cultivation Details

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[200]. Succeeds in acid or calcareous conditions. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile[200]. Fish like to spawn amongst this plant[74].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Root - raw or cooked[61, 85, 103]. A nutty flavour[74]. Starchy[105, 115]. Young branches that are produced from the rhizome[103]. No more details are given.

• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is febrifuge and resolvent[218].

• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Resolvent - Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.

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[56]. Cuttings of erect shoots in the growing season[56].

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

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