Curly Pondweed
Potamogeton crispus
Family: Potamogetonaceae
What it is like
A herb which grows under water. It extends about 2-8 m across. It has underground stems or rhizomes. There are also trailing stems which are flattened and 4 m long. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are 2.5-10 cm long by 0.5-1.5 cm wide. They are narrowly oblong. They do not have a stalk. They are thin and deep green. The edges have fine teeth and are wavy. The flower spikes are 0.8-2 cm long.
There are about 100 Potamogeton species.
Where it is found
It grows in tropical and warm temperate regions. It grows in ponds and dams and slow flowing waterways. It grows in wetlands. It can tolerate very low salinity. It grows best in water more than 50 cm deep. It tolerates cold water. It grows best when water temperatures are above 15°C. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Britain, Cambodia, Central Asia, China, Eswatini, Europe, Fiji, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Luxembourg, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Russia, SE Asia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The leaves and roots are cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, root
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed, cuttings or division.