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pond water-starwort
Scientific Name: Callitriche stagnalis
Family: Callitrichaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Pond Water-Starwort: An Aquatic Herb
Learn about the characteristics, distribution, and ecological impact of the pond water-starwort, Callitriche stagnalis.
Considerations for Pets
- Pond water-starwort is commonly found in ponds, which may also be habitats for amphibians or other animals with which pets can interact.
Considerations for Children
- Pond water-starwort is commonly found in ponds, which may pose a drowning risk for young children.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Callitriche stagnalis Scop.
- Common Names: Pond water-starwort, common water-starwort, common starwort, mud water starwort, starwort, water starwort, European starwort.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Callitrichaceae (Water-starwort family)
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Synonyms: Callitriche stellaria acquatica (mentioned in the context of synonyms, but the text doesn't explicitly state that this is a synonym)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe.
- Introduced to North America, found at seaports in New York, New Jersey, and Oregon.
- Grows in still or slow-moving water, often in ponds, and occasionally in faster-moving water.
Ecological Role
- Can be an invasive plant that forms dense mats on the water's surface.
- These mats can block sunlight and crowd out native plants.
- In some areas of the UK, it is considered an invasive aquatic weed, which has the potential to be problematic.
- Can be pollution intolerant.
Morphological Characteristics
- Aquatic, perennial herb.
- Elongated stem measuring 4-12 inches.
- Opposite leaves with smooth edges. Submerged leaves are narrow, becoming broader in the open air.
- Small and insignificant flowers borne in summer.
Use in Ponds
- Considered an oxygenating plant, which can be useful in ponds.
- Essential in keeping a pond healthy.
Further Information
- USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CAST
- Burke Museum Herbarium: http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium
- Montana Field Guide (for photo submissions)
- TERMIUM (Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank)