Home is where the curly leaf pondweed invades...

Curly Leaf Pondweed has a wide tolerance for a variety of ecological factors. It's typically found in alkaline and nutrient-rich environments. It prefers to root in soft substrate at shallower depths, growing best at 1 to 2 feet of water. It is tolerant of low light levels and low water temperatures. Although P. Crispus grows better in fresh water, it CAN grow in salt water as well.

All of these tolerances allow Curly Leaf Pondweed to flourish and survive in variable locations. In fact, this submerged macrophyte is actually an invasive species to the United States and has affected lake recreation, natural beauty, drainage and irrigation, fishing, and boating navigation issues throughout much of the country! In many locations, this plant has destroyed natural vegetation and upset important ecosystems.

Originally, Curly Leaf Pondweed lived in exotic locations like Eurasia, Australia, and African countries such as Egypt (where it probably enjoyed a lovely view of the pyramids, pictured to the right).  In the 1800's, American hobbyists began to use P. crispus as an aquarium plant; this unleashed the terrifying spread of curly leaf pondweed throughout the nation!

Curly Leaf Pondweed rapidly spread through the United States as an invasive species. Although this pondweed is responsible for the destruction of many submerged plant communities, it has also become an important primary producer in many aquatic ecosystems throughout the United States.

 

The map to the right shows the distribution of curly leaf pondweed in the United States. Very few states are not affected by this species of pondweed!

 How has curly leafed pondweed adapted to aid its journey for stateside domination? Continue to ADAPTATIONS!