Curly Pondweed

Scientific name: Potamogeton crispus L.

Synonym: Achyranthes philoxeroides

Common names: Curly pondweed, Curly-leaf pondweed

Native To: Eurasia, Africa, Australia (Catling and Dobson 1985)

Date of U.S. Introduction: Mid-1800s (Catling and Dobson 1985)

Images: Invasive.org and Google

Means of Introduction: Unknown, possibly imported as an aquarium ornamental or introduced accidentally with fish stocking operations (Catling and Dobson 1985; ENSR 2005)

Impact: Forms dense mats that inhibit growth of native species and impede recreational activities (Catling and Dobson 1985)

Current U.S. Distribution:

• PLANTS Database Map (see complete PLANTS Profile for county distribution and native status)
• Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System

U.S. States and U.S. National Parks Where Reported Invasive: Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States map

Management Plans: Aquatic Species

Selected Internet Resources:

• Federal Government
• State Government
• University/Academic
• International
• Organizations

Federal Government

Potamogeton crispus L.
Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
Taxonomy

Potamogeton crispus L. - Aquatic Plant Information System (APIS)
DOD. USACE. Engineer Research and Development Center. Environmental Laboratory.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

Potamogeton crispus Article Citation Search - AGRICOLA Database
USDA. National Agricultural Library.
Research; Special Note: NAL Catalog Search (resources)

Potamogeton crispus - Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)
USDA. ARS. National Genetic Resources Program.
Taxonomy; Legal Aspects

Curly Pondweed - Invasive Plants of Asian Origin Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies (PDF | 355 KB)
USDA. Forest Service.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution

Plant Profile for Potamogeton crispus - PLANTS Database
USDA. NRCS. National Plant Data Center.
Taxonomy; Photographs; Distribution; Legal Aspects

Curly pondweed - Northeast Wetland Flora: Field Office Guide to Plant Species
DOI. USGS. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Habitat; Distribution

Curly Pondweed - Chesapeake Bay Introduced Species Database
Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. Marine Invasions Research Lab.
Taxonomy; Illustrations; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat

State Government

Aquatic Invasive Species: Curlyleaf Pondweed (PDF | 644 KB)
Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Curly Pondweed - Bay Grasses Identification Key
Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Life Cycle

Rapid Response Plan for Curlyleaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) in Massachusetts (Jun 2005; PDF | 1.15 MB)
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Curlyleaf Pondweed: New Management Ideas for an Old Problem (PDF | 178 KB)
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Exotic Species Program.
Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Curly Leaf Pondweed - Vermont Invasive Exotic Plant Fact Sheet (2003; PDF | 93 KB)
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Whatcom Weeds: Curly-Leaf Pondweed (PDF | 64 KB)
Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board (Washington).
Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Controls; Legal Aspects

Curly-Leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

University/Academic

Potamogeton crispus (Curly-leaved Pondweed) - Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)
University of Connecticut. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion

Curlyleaf Pondweed - Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Habitat

Curly Pondweed
Michigan State University Extension. Michigan Invasive Species Information Network.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Identification of Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) (Jun 2006; PDF | 57 KB)
University of Minnesota Extension.
Identification/Description; Illustrations; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat

Curly Leaf Pondweed - Pond Facts No. 17 (2008; PDF | 98 KB)
Pennsylvania State University. Cooperative Extension. School of Forest Resources.
Identification/Description; Photograph; Habitat; Controls

Curly-Leafed Pondweed - Aquaplant
Texas A&M University. Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Controls

Curly-leaf Pondweed Monitoring Protocol (May 2010; ; PDF | 2.69 MB)
University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Dispersion

International

Potamogeton crispus - Invasive Species Compendium
Centre for Agricultural Bioscience International (CABI).
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Controls

Potamogeton crispus
New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Life Cycle; Habitat; Dispersion

Potamogeton crispus (aquatic plant) - ISSG Global Invasive Species Database
World Conservation Union. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Taxonomy; Identification/Description; Photographs; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Organizations

Curly-Leaved Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Introduction History; Impacts; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution; Dispersion; Controls

Curly-leaf Pondweed - Maine's Interactive Field Guide to Aquatic Invaders
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Illustrations; Introduction History; Life Cycle; Habitat; Distribution

Potamogeton crispus
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk.
Identification/Description; Photographs; Habitat; Distribution

Citations

Catling, P.M. and I. Dobson. 1985. The biology of Canadian weeds: 69. Potamogeton crispus L. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 65(3):655-668.

ENSR International. 2005. Rapid Response Plan for Curlyleaf Pondweed (Potamotegon crispus) in Massachusetts (PDF | 1.15 MB) Prepared for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.