Potamogeton berchtoldii
Narrow leaved pondweed
(c) Doug Suitor, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Potamogetonaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Potamogeton berchtoldii (Narrow leaved pondweed) is a native California annual in the Potamogetonaceae family, recognized by annual habit and extremely narrow leaves distinctive.
Narrow leaved pondweed is a native aquatic plant found in coastal, northern California, Klamath Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, southern Coast Ranges, and Great Basin regions in shallow, cold, and acidic lakes and ponds at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces small, inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers in compact whorls. Growing as a slender submersed annual with stems up to 80 centimeters long, it develops delicate branching stems with distinct nodal glands. Its narrow, translucent leaves are sessile, less than 6 centimeters long and typically narrower than 1.5 millimeters, with acute to obtuse tips and 1 to 3 subtle veins. The plant forms winter buds and produces small fruits with asymmetric tips and convex sides, adapted to its aquatic environment.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 15 sympatric species; annual habit and extremely narrow leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Shallow water, mostly cold, acidic lakes, ponds
Elevation: < 2100 m
Outside California: circumboreal
Bloom period
Potamogeton berchtoldii blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Persicaria: Potamogeton flowers float on water; Persicaria has terrestrial pink/white flower spikes above solid ground.; vs Stuckenia: Potamogeton flowers emerge above water on stiff stalks; Stuckenia flowers stay underwater on flexible stalks.; vs Alisma: Potamogeton has inconspicuous spike flowers; Alisma has showy white three-petaled flowers in branched clusters.; vs Ranunculus: Potamogeton has tiny greenish spike flowers; Ranunculus has bright yellow buttercup flowers with visible petals.; vs Myriophyllum: Potamogeton has broad or ribbon-like leaves; Myriophyllum has feathery, finely divided leaves like a bottlebrush.
Frequently asked questions
Is Potamogeton berchtoldii native to California?
Yes. Potamogeton berchtoldii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potamogeton berchtoldii bloom?
Potamogeton berchtoldii blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Potamogeton berchtoldii belong to?
Potamogeton berchtoldii is in the Potamogetonaceae family, genus Potamogeton.
What habitat does Potamogeton berchtoldii grow in?
Potamogeton berchtoldii grows in Uncommon. Shallow water, mostly cold, acidic lakes, ponds.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.