common elodea
(Elodea canadensis Michx)

Overview

Appearance

Elodea canadensis is a perennial aquatic plant, native to most of North America. It can reach up to 9.8 ft. (3 m) in length.

Foliage

The leaves are a bright, translucent green. The leaves can grow up to 0.67 in. (1.7 cm) long and 0.16 in. (0.4) wide.

Flowers

It lives entirely underwater, the only exception being the small white or pale purple flowers which float at the surface and are attached to the plant by delicate stalks. The flowers have three small white petals on them. Flowering will occur from May to October.

Fruit

The fruit is an ovoid capsule, about 0.23 in. (0.58 cm) long containing several seeds that ripen underwater. The seeds are 0.16 to 0.2 in. (0.4-0.5 cm) long.

Ecological Threat

Elodea canadensis grows rapidly in favorable conditions and can choke shallow ponds, canals, and the margins of some slow-flowing rivers.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

No reference that we have lists this species as invasive in North America. This species is included for comparison to other species that are considered invasive.

References