Waterthread Pondweed (Potamogeton diversifolius)
Description
Potamogeton diversifolius is a species of aquatic plant known by the common names waterthread pondweed and diverse-leaved pondweed. It is native to most of the United States, as well as sections of southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico, where it grows in water bodies such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and slow-moving streams. This is a perennial herb producing a very narrow, compressed stem branching to a maximum length around 35 centimeters. It has thin, pointed linear leaves a few centimeters long spirally arranged about the thin stem. The inflorescence is a small spike of flowers emerging from the water surface. Inflorescences also grow on submersed sections of the stem; these are smaller and spherical. It can be difficult to distinguish from similar species of pondweed. One of the first confirmed findings in Canada was made in Alberta by one of the nation's leading young ecologists, a graduate of Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College. It is still unknown just how far north the plant can be found, as this finding could signal its ability to grow in colder regions of North America.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Alismatales
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Family: Potamogetonaceae
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Genus: Potamogeton
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