Potamogeton pusillus
Tracheophyta
›Magnoliopsida›Potamogetonaceae›Potamogeton›Potamogeton pusillus
Ecology
A rhizomatous perennial found in standing or slowly flowing water in sheltered lakes and reservoirs, ponds, rivers, canals, ditches and flooded mineral workings. It favours mesotrophic to eutrophic water and tolerates slightly brackish conditions. 0-320 m (Stony Middleton, Derbys.).
Status
Native
Trends
P. pusillus and P. berchtoldii were confused in our area until 1938. Any assessment of changes in their distribution must therefore be based on very limited evidence, especially as they may still be under-recorded. However, comparison of pre-1930 and recent records suggests that P. pusillus may have increased in some areas, perhaps in response to eutrophication.
World Distribution
Circumpolar Southern-temperate element.
© K.J. Walker, BSBI
Monks Wood
© K.J. Walker, BSBI
Broad Habitats
Standing water and canals
Light (Ellenberg): 7
Moisture (Ellenberg): 12
Reaction (Ellenberg): 7
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 6
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 1
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 3.6
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 15.1
Annual Precipitation (mm): 877
Length: 70
Perennation - primary
Perennial
Life Form - primary
Perennial hydrophyte (perennial water plant)
Woodiness
Herbaceous
Clonality - primary
Detaching ramets above ground (often axillary)
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 806
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 146
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 1
Atlas Change Index: 0.77
Weighted Changed Factor: 46
Weighted Change Factor Confidence (90%)
40
JNCC Designations
NBNSYS0000002138
Comment on Clonality