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fineleaf pondweed, slender-leaf pondweed, thread-leaf false pondweed, thread-leaf pondweed, western pondweed

broadleaf pondweed, Nevada-pondweed, striped pondweed

Stems

freely branching proximally, sparsely branching distally, subterete, (10–)20–60(–100) cm.

branched distally, terete to 5-ridged, to 200 cm.

Leaves

length and width of those on main stem only slightly larger than those on branches;

stipules with stipular sheaths often inflated on proximal portion of stem, 1–4(–9.5) cm, summit of midstem stipules tight to stem, ca. ± same width as stem, ligule 2–20 mm, distinct, especially on distal stipules;

blade filiform or slenderly linear, 1–15 cm × 0.2–2(–3.7) mm, apex notched, blunt, or short-apiculate;

veins 1–3.

length and width of those on main stem 2 times or more those on branches;

stipules with stipular sheaths not inflated, 1.2–3.4 cm, ligule 0.2–1.1 cm;

blade linear, 5–21 cm × 0.4–5.1 (–8.5) mm, apex apiculate, cuspidate, or rarely round;

veins 3–5.

Inflorescences

peduncles terminal, erect, filiform to slender, 2–10(–15) cm;

spikes cylindric to moniliform, 5–55 mm;

verticels 2–6(–9).

peduncles axillary, rarely terminal, erect to ascending, cylindric, 1.2–5.2 cm;

spikes cylindric, rarely moniliform, 13–45 mm;

verticels 4–9.

Fruits

dark brown, obovoid, 2–3 × 1.5–2.4 mm;

beak inconspicuous.

brown to reddish brown, obovoid to oblanceoloid, 3–3.9 × 2.8–3 mm;

beak toward abaxial margin, erect or rarely recurved to apex, 0.2–0.3 mm.

Chromosome number

apparently unknown.not available.

Stuckenia filiformis

Stuckenia striata

Phenology Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat Waters of alkaline rivers, canals, and ponds
Elevation 800–2000 m (2600–6600 ft)
Distribution
from FNA
AK; AZ; CA; CO; IA; ID; ME; MI; MN; MT; ND; NE; NH; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OR; PA; SD; UT; VT; WA; WI; WY; AB; BC; MB; NB; NS; NT; NU; ON; PE; QC; SK; YT; nearly worldwide
[WildflowerSearch map]
[BONAP county map]
from FNA
AZ; CA; CO; ID; NM; NV; OR; TX; UT; Mexico; Central America; South America
[BONAP county map]
Discussion

Three distinct subspecies seemingly apparently occur in North America. They are separated mainly by the size of the plants and the peduncle characteristics. Stuckenia filiformis subsp. occidentalis typically grows in cold deep water, standing or with a strong current. This variety tends to become robust and is easily confused with Stuckenia vaginata and S. striata. Stuckenia filiformis subsp. alpina is a much smaller plant typically growing in standing waters. Stuckenia filiformis subsp. filiformis is restricted to the far north. In the intermountain region of western United States is a more robust form that is quite similar to S. filiformis subsp. alpina but although it has previously been recognized as Potamogeton [Stuckenia] filiformis var. macounii Morong (J. L. Reveal 1977b).

Subspecies ca. 5 (3 in the flora).

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Stuckenia striata is widespread, although not common, in the western United States, extending southward into Argentina and Chile. Potamogeton latifolius [no combination in Stuckenia has been proposed] was accepted by R. F. Thorne (1993b). After examining specimens throughout the range and studying dozens of populations in the field, we have determined that the two names represent the same taxon. We are placing P. latifolius in synonymy.

(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)

Key
1. Plants 20–100 cm; stipules on proximal portion of stem inflated, disintegrating with age; fruits often absent.
subsp. occidentalis
1. Plants 10–30 cm; stipules on proximal portion of stem tightly clasping or slightly enlarged, persistent; fruits common.
→ 2
2. Peduncles Peduncles with flowers and/or fruits 4 cm or more apart; leaves 0.2–0.5 mm wide.
subsp. Filiformis
2. Peduncles with flowers and/or fruits less than 4 cm apart; leaves to 1 mm widee.
subsp. alpina
Source FNA vol. 22. FNA vol. 22.
Parent taxa Potamogetonaceae > Stuckenia Potamogetonaceae > Stuckenia
Sibling taxa
S. pectinata, S. striata, S. vaginata
S. filiformis, S. pectinata, S. vaginata
Subordinate taxa
S. filiformis subsp. Filiformis, S. filiformis subsp. alpina, S. filiformis subsp. occidentalis
Synonyms Potamogeton filiformis Potamogeton striatus, Z &, Potamogeton latifolius
Name authority (Persoon) Börner: Flora fur das deutsche Volk 713. (1912) (Ruiz & Pavon) Holub: Preslia 68: 364. (1997)
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