Species Factsheets
Potamogeton pulcher
Spotted Pondweed
State Status: Pennsylvania Endangered (PE)
PBS Status: Pennsylvania Endangered (PE)
Federal Status:
Global Rank: G5
rank interpretation
State Rank: S1
Did You Know?
The submerged leaves are dark green with brown leaves (stipules) at the base, but the floating leaves are lighter green in color and slightly indented at the base.
Description
Spotted pondweed (Potamogeton pulcher) is an aquatic perennial herb that grows in standing water. The stems of this species are up to 50cm long and have dark purple spots. The leaves are of two types, floating and submersed. The floating leaves are oval to elliptic, rounded, or heart-shaped at the base, and have long, purple-spotted stalks. The submersed leaves are broadly lance-shaped, up to 3cm wide, and short-stalked or stalkless. The flowers are produced in dense spikes that are 2-4cm long. Individual flowers are inconspicuous and have four small, greenish petals or sepals. Spikes are held above the water and can be seen June through August.
Rank Justification
Critically imperiled in the nation or state because of extreme rarity (often 5 or fewer occurrences) or because of some factor(s) such as very steep declines making it especially vulnerable to extirpation from the state.
PABS
The PA Biological Survey considers the spotted pondweed to be species of special concern, based on the relatively few occurrences that have been confirmed, the wetland habitat, and the regional rarity. It has been assigned a rarity status of Endangered.
Habitat
In Pennsylvania, it grows in shallow, acidic streams, vernal ponds, in swamps and on muddy shores.
Survey Dates
Flowers June - September; fruits August - October
Distribution
Management
Conservation of spotted pondweed will depend upon the protection of existing populations and maintenance of their wetland habitat. This may include removing invasive plants and creating buffers to help protect populations from the effects of run-off or flooding. Sustaining appropriate water levels will also be important for maintaining high quality habitats.
Conservation Status Map
NatureServe. 2017. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org.
https://www.arkive.org/spotted-pondweed/potamogeton-pulcher/
- NatureServe. 2018. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available at https://www.natureserve.org/explorer
- Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. 2018.
- Rhoads, A.F. and W.M. Klein, Jr. 1993. The Vascular Flora of Pennsylvania. American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block.
- 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual. 2nd edition. University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
