Transcript Curly Leaf Pondweed Identification

Curly-leaf Pondweed
Growth & Identification
Barbara Liukkonen
University of Minnesota Extension Service
Carver County, June 16, 2006
Curly Leaf Pondweed
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Non-native, “Exotic”
Aquatic Invasive Species or AIS
Submergent aquatic plant
Potamogeton crispus
Similar to other pondweeds
Can be very invasive
Curly-leaf pondweed in 700+ sites
Distribution of
CLPW across
Minnesota
As of 2005
Habitat
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Deep water plant
Colonizes water
1–2 feet deep
Spreads to depths
of 10 or more feet
Tolerates low light
Growth habitat
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Grows well in
disturbed sites
Can grow under
algae or snowcovered ice
Strong roots allow
growth in lakes or
moderate streams
Curly-leaf Life Cycle
Its unique life cycle
gives curly leaf a
competitive advantage
over many other
aquatic plants
Life cycle
Autumn/winter
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Sprouts buds from
turions
Remains alive during
winter
Can grow under ice
Spring
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Rapid growth while
other plants continue
dormancy
J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992.
Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich.
Botanist. 31(1):3-16
summer
spring
fall
winter
Life cycle
Spring/summer
 May form dense
mats
 Flower spikes/seeds
 Turions form in leaf
axils
summer
spring
fall
winter
J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992.
Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich.
Botanist. 31(1):3-16
Life cycle
Summer/fall
 Turions drop
 Disperse by water
movement
 Sink to bottom of
lake
 Lie dormant
 Cycle begins again
J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992.
Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich.
Botanist. 31(1):3-16
summer
spring
fall
winter
Curly Leaf Identification
Key point # 1
 Leaves grow in an
alternate pattern along the
stem
 Typical in many
pondweeds
Curly Leaf Identification
Key point #2
 Branching vein pattern
 Only pondweed with
branching vein pattern
Curly Leaf Identification
Key point #3
 Serrated leaf margin
 Only 1 other pondweed
species has serrated
margin
Curly Leaf Identification
Leaves are very
wavy and may be
reddish in color, but
this is not unique to
curly leaf pondweed
Look-alike plants
Richardson’s pondweed
Potamogeton richardsonii
Curly leaf pondweed
Potamogeton crispis
• Serrated leaf
margin
• Branching
vein pattern
• Leaves not
clasping stem
• Smooth leaf margin
• Vein pattern is parallel
• Leaf clasps stem
Recommended Reading:
 Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide to
Aquatic Plants
by Borman, S., Korth, R. & Tempte, J. (1997).
Available from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership
at (715) 346-2116
Special thanks to:
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Mary Blickenderfer, UM Extension Service
Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service
Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural Resources
Cynthia Hagley, MN Sea Grant Program
The information and drawings in this slide show are copyright by the
Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2006. If you want to
reproduce or reuse them, please contact Barb Liukkonen,
[email protected], or Mary Blickenderfer, [email protected] from the
University of Minnesota Extension Service