Fennel-leaved pondweed, Sago pondweed
Potamogeton pectinatus

Family: Potamogetonaceae

What it is like

A herb which grows under water. It keeps growing from year to year. It has long creeping, tuber like rhizomes or underground stems. These can stick 1 m into mud. The stems are 3 m long and branched. The leaves are 1.5-15 cm long by 0.2 cm wide. The base is joined to the sheath. The flower spikes are 1.5-6 cm long. The flower can be above, on, or under the water. The flowers have both sexes. The fruit carpels are 2-4 mm long.

There are about 100 Potamogeton species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in moderately deep still water. The water can be 1-4 m deep. It will grow in water from 10°C to 25°C. It can grow in salty water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Britain, Central America, China, East Africa, Europe, Guatemala, Himalayas, India, Iran, Iraq, Luxembourg, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Scandinavia, SE Asia, South America, Sweden, Taiwan, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The rootstocks contain starch. The whole plant is eaten.

It is eaten locally.

Edible parts

Leaves, root, tubers, stem

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed, cuttings or division of the rhizomes. It mostly grows from the tubers.

There can be 36,000 tubers in 24 square metres of plants.

Its other names

Local names

Comb pondweed

Synonyms

Potamogeton striatus Ruiz. Lopez & Pavon;