Potamogeton pectinatus - Fennel-Leaved Pondweed

Family:	Potamogetonaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Width:	1
Synonyms:	P. flabellatus. P. interuptus. Kit.
Range:	An almost cosmopolitan plant, found in most areas of the world including Britain.

Potamogeton pectinatus (Fennel-Leaved Pondweed) is a Perennial and a width of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 0.
Fennel-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 Water

Soil Information

Fennel-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
Fennel-Leaved Pondweed prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

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

Ponds, rivers, canals, ditches etc, especially in base-rich waters in lowland areas, avoiding acid conditions and shade[13, 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]. A polymorphic species[17]. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond[200]. It provides a very good food source for ducks and other water fowl[212]. Plants do not flower every year[212]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 3/5
Leaves and stems[105]. No more details are given. Root - raw[105]. It tastes like nuts[85]. The outer rind should be removed[85].

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

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of a feverish liver[218].

• Hepatic - Acts on the liver (for better or worse!).

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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