Curly-leaf PondweedCurly-leaf PondweedGrowth & IdentificationGrowth & Identification

Barbara LiukkonenUniversity of Minnesota Extension Service

Carver County, June 16, 2006

Curly Leaf Pondweed Non-native, “Exotic” Aquatic Invasive Species or AIS Submergent aquatic plant Potamogeton crispus Similar to other pondweeds Can be very invasive

Curly-leaf pondweed in 700+ sites

Distribution of CLPW across Minnesota

As of 2005

HabitatHabitat Deep water Deep water

plant plant Colonizes water Colonizes water

1–2 feet deep1–2 feet deep Spreads Spreads to

depths of 10 or depths of 10 or more feetmore feet

Tolerates low Tolerates low lightlight

Growth habitatGrowth habitat Grows well in Grows well in

disturbed sitesdisturbed sites Can grow under Can grow under

algae or snow- or snow-covered icecovered ice

Strong roots allow Strong roots allow growth in lakes or growth in lakes or moderate streamsmoderate streams

Curly-leaf Life Cycle

Its unique life cycle gives curly leaf a

competitive advantage over many other aquatic plants

Life cycleLife cycle

Autumn/winterAutumn/winter Sprouts buds from Sprouts buds from

turionsturions Remains alive during Remains alive during

winterwinter Can grow under iceCan grow under ice

SpringSpring Rapid growth while Rapid growth while

other plants continue other plants continue dormancydormancy

J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16

summer

fallspring

winter

Life cycleLife cycle

Spring/summerSpring/summer May form dense May form dense

matsmats Flower Flower

spikes/seedsspikes/seeds Turions form in Turions form in

leaf axilsleaf axils

summer

fallspring

winter

J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16

Life cycleLife cycle

J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16

summer

fallspring

winter

Summer/fallSummer/fall Turions drop Turions drop Disperse by water Disperse by water

movementmovement Sink to bottom of Sink to bottom of

lakelake Lie dormantLie dormant Cycle begins Cycle begins

againagain

Curly Leaf IdentificationCurly Leaf IdentificationKey point # 1Key point # 1 Leaves grow in an Leaves grow in an

alternate pattern along alternate pattern along the stemthe stem

Typical in many Typical in many pondweedspondweeds

Curly Leaf IdentificationCurly Leaf IdentificationKey point #2Key point #2 Branching vein Branching vein

patternpattern Only pondweed with Only pondweed with

branching vein branching vein patternpattern

Curly Leaf IdentificationCurly Leaf IdentificationKey point #3Key point #3 Serrated leaf marginSerrated leaf margin Only 1 other Only 1 other

pondweed species pondweed species has serrated marginhas serrated margin

Curly Leaf IdentificationCurly Leaf Identification

Leaves are very Leaves are very wavy and may be wavy and may be reddish in color, reddish in color, but this is not but this is not unique to curly unique to curly leaf pondweedleaf pondweed

Look-alike plantsLook-alike plantsCurly leaf pondweedPotamogeton crispis

Richardson’s pondweedPotamogeton richardsonii

• Smooth leaf margin

• Vein pattern is parallel

• Leaf clasps stem

• Serrated leaf margin

• Branching vein pattern

• Leaves not clasping stem

Recommended Reading:Recommended Reading: Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide

to Aquatic Plantsto Aquatic Plants by Borman, S., Korth, R. & Tempte, J. by Borman, S., Korth, R. & Tempte, J. (1997). Available from the Wisconsin (1997). Available from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership at (715) 346-2116Lakes Partnership at (715) 346-2116

Special thanks to:Special thanks to: Mary Blickenderfer, UM Extension ServiceMary Blickenderfer, UM Extension Service Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension ServiceEleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural

ResourcesResources Cynthia Hagley, MN Sea Grant ProgramCynthia Hagley, MN Sea Grant Program

The information and drawings in this slide show are copyright by The information and drawings in this slide show are copyright by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2006. If you the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2006. If you want to reproduce or reuse them, please contact Barb Liukkonen, want to reproduce or reuse them, please contact Barb Liukkonen, liukk001@umn.eduliukk001@umn.edu, or Mary Blickenderfer, , or Mary Blickenderfer, blick002@umn.edublick002@umn.edu from the University of Minnesota Extension Servicefrom the University of Minnesota Extension Service