Broad-Leaved Pondweed, Floating pondweed
Potamogeton natans

Family: Potamogetonaceae

What it is like

Potamogeton natans is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. It is in flower from May to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid and very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Lakes, ponds and ditches, especially on a highly organic substratum, usually in water less than 1 metre deep.

Much of the northern hemisphere, including Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Root - raw or cooked. A nutty flavour. Starchy. Young branches that are produced from the rhizome. No more details are given.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is febrifuge and resolvent.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Resolvent: Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun. Succeeds in acid or calcareous conditions. A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile. Fish like to spawn amongst this plant.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a pot that is standing in its own depth of water in a greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if this is possible. Stored seed is likely to have a short viability. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and increase the depth of water around the pot until the plants are covered by a few centimetres of water. Grow the plants on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter, increasing the depth of water as the plants grow larger. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. Division in spring. Cuttings of erect shoots in the growing season.

Best place to grow: Pond;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. hibernicus.