Potamogeton pusillus L.

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Synonyms: Potamogeton panormitanus Biv.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Submerged herb, with stems up to 1 m. Rhizome 0 or poorly developed. Stipular sheaths 6-17 mm, tubular, splitting later. Leaves c.20-40 × 1-2 mm, linear, all submerged, firm and translucent; apex obtuse, with 2 lateral longitudinal veins joining the midrib abruptly near the tip at unequal heights. Lacunar system 0 or sometimes a very narrow dense band flanking the midrib. Spikes usually shorter than leaves; flowers 2-4 per whorl with up to 4 whorls per spike. Drupe 2-2.5 mm, obovoid, smooth; beak short and straight.
Type location:
Europe
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: pusillus: insignificant, small, weak
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Widespread in Africa, Europe, temperate Asia and North America. Less common in tropical America and Asia.
FZ divisions:
Growth form(s): Aquatic.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 29.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 112.

Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 502 - 503. (Includes a picture).

Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 148.

Symoens, J.J. (2009). Potamogetonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(2) Pages 83 - 84.

Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 193.

Troupin, G. (1988). Potamogetonaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume IV Page 16. As Potamogeton panormitanus Biv.


Other sources of information about Potamogeton pusillus:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: Potamogeton pusillus
Flora of Malawi: Potamogeton pusillus
Flora of Mozambique: Potamogeton pusillus
Flora of Rwanda: Potamogeton pusillus
Flora of Zambia: Potamogeton pusillus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Potamogeton pusillus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Potamogeton pusillus
African Plant Database: Potamogeton pusillus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Potamogeton pusillus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Potamogeton pusillus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Potamogeton pusillus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Potamogeton pusillus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Potamogeton pusillus
JSTOR Plant Science: Potamogeton pusillus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Potamogeton pusillus
Plants of the World Online: Potamogeton pusillus
Tropicos: Potamogeton pusillus
Wikipedia: Potamogeton pusillus


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-25

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2025). Flora of Botswana: Species information: Potamogeton pusillus.
https://www.botswanaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=103080, retrieved 18 October 2025

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