SafePlants

Large-leaf Pondweed: An Aquatic Habitat Essential

Large-leaf pondweed, scientifically known as Potamogeton amplifolius, plays a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems. Also referred to as Water Cabbage, Broad-leaved Pondweed, or Big-leaf Pondweed, this species of pondweed provides essential habitat and food sources for various aquatic animals.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that various mammals such as beaver, deer, and muskrat consume the leaves of this plant, this information indicates the plant is edible to some degree and might attract animals to the location.
• The plant can grow in dense colonies; these could pose entanglement risks for smaller aquatic pets.

Scientific Classification

• Scientific Name: Potamogeton amplifolius Tuck.
• Family: Potamogetonaceae (Pondweed Family)
• Order: Najadales
• Synonyms and Common Names: Largeleaf Pondweed, Large-leaf Pondweed, Water Cabbage, Claspingleaf (Richardson) Pondweed, Floating-leaf Pondweed, Whitestem Pondweed, Broad-leaf Cabbage, Musky Pondweed, Big-leaf Pondweed, Broad-leaved Pondweed.

Distribution and Habitat

• Large-leaf pondweed thrives in the submersed plant community.
• It is typically found in soft sediments of quiet waters, at depths of up to several meters.
• It is found in lakes and rivers.

Morphological Characteristics

• Known for having the widest leaves among submerged plants.
• Leaves are slightly folded and curl backwards.
• Has large, thick stems.
• Two leaf types: large, usually wavy-edged underwater leaves curved into a banana shape and oval, leathery floating leaves.
• Submersed leaves are large, oblong, wavy, and taper to the stem, with parallel leaf veins.

Ecological Role

• Provides excellent habitat for panfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, and northern pike.
• Bluegills nest near these plants and feed on insects within the pondweed colonies.
• The plant's growth habit allows it to form large colonies and, under certain circumstances, take over an area.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Provides habitat and food for various aquatic animals.
• Common mammals such as beaver, deer, and muskrat eat the leaves.

Control and Management

• Herbicides are recommended for managing pondweed.
• Treatments are most effective early in the growing season before the plants cover a large portion of the pond.

Additional Information

• May be confused with P. illinoensis (Illinois pondweed).

Quirky Facts

• Large-Leaf Pondweed is known for having the widest leaf amongst submerged plants.
• The submerged leaves are described as being curved into a banana shape.

Resources

• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Illinois Plant Information Network (ILPIN)
• Midwest Aqua Care (Pond Weed Control Problem Solver)