| Home | > | List of families | > | Potamogetonaceae | > | Potamogeton | > | pusillus |
| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Submerged herb, with stems up to 1 m. Rhizome 0 or poorly developed. Stipular sheaths 6-17 mm, tubular, splitting later. Leaves c.20-40 × 1-2 mm, linear, all submerged, firm and translucent; apex obtuse, with 2 lateral longitudinal veins joining the midrib abruptly near the tip at unequal heights. Lacunar system 0 or sometimes a very narrow dense band flanking the midrib. Spikes usually shorter than leaves; flowers 2-4 per whorl with up to 4 whorls per spike. Drupe 2-2.5 mm, obovoid, smooth; beak short and straight. |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | pusillus: insignificant, small, weak |
| Habitat: | Slow-flowing waters, 30-60 cm deep, sometimes lightly brackish. Also often in disturbed places, such as ditches, ponds and reservoirs. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 600 - 1750 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in Africa, Europe, temperate Asia and North America. Less common in tropical America and Asia. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | W,C,E |
| Growth form(s): | Aquatic. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Saturday 14 April 2007 |
| Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 29. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 502 - 503. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 148. Symoens, J.J. (2009). Potamogetonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Pages 83 - 84. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 193. |
| Home | > | List of families | > | Potamogetonaceae | > | Potamogeton | > | pusillus |