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South American waterweed
Scientific Name: Elodea callitrichoides
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual, Biennial
Other Names:
South American Waterweed
This page provides information about South American Waterweed, a common name used for several aquatic plants, most notably Egeria densa and Elodea callitrichoides.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is commonly used in aquariums.
Scientific Name and Nomenclature
- Accepted Scientific Name: Egeria densa
- USDA Symbol: EGDE
- Synonyms: Elodea callitrichoides (Rich.) Caspary, Anacharis callitrichoides Rich.
- Other Scientific Names Mentioned: Elodea ernstiae
Common Names
- South American Waterweed
- Brazilian Elodea
- Brazilian Waterweed
- Leafy Elodea
- Dense Waterweed
- Common Waterweed
- Egeria
- Anacharis
- Oxygen Weed
- Ditch Moss
- Argentinian Waterweed
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to South America (Central Minas Gerais region of Brazil, coast of Argentina, eastern South America).
- Has spread to most continents.
- Found in streams, ponds, and sloughs.
- Introduced to California more than 30 years ago.
- Also present in Oregon.
Ecological Role
- Considered an aggressive invasive aquatic plant.
- Forms dense mats on the surface of the water that can cover hundreds of acres.
- Can crowd out native species.
Morphological Characteristics
- Submerged freshwater perennial aquatic herb.
- Grows underwater.
- Generally arranged in whorls of three.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists are exploring the use of the South American planthopper (Cornops aquaticum) to combat this waterweed.
Further Information
- RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
- USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center
- Discover Life
- The Plant List
- ToL (Tree of Life Web Project)
- BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library)
- NBN (National Biodiversity Network)