Water Celery, American eelgrass
Vallisneria americana

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

What it is like

Vallisneria americana is an evergreen Perennial. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from July to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). and is pollinated by Water. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

Height (m): 0

Where it is found

Quiet waters. Lakes and slow flowing streams. Fresh to brackish waters of streams, lakes, rivers, and bays from sea level to 500 metres.

E. Asia. Eastern N. America - N. Dakota to S. Manitoba and Quebec.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

A water plant for a large aquarium or for deep water outdoors, it prefers slightly acid conditions in a sunny position. This species is not very hardy in Britain, though it should succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country. A valuable water oxygenator. The leaves can be up to 1 metre long. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Male flowers are produced below the surface of the water and females are produced on the surface. Fertilization takes place when male flowers break off the plant, float to the surface and fall into a slight depression formed by the female flowers on the surface of the water.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. Lay the seed on the surface of a pot of soil and immerse this in water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in water in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of rooted runners in the growing season.

Best place to grow: Pond;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

V. gigantea. Gaertn.