Potamogeton diversifolius
Diverse-leaved pondweed
(c) Eric Knight, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Eric Knight · licence
Family: Potamogetonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Potamogeton diversifolius (Diverse-leaved pondweed) is a native California herb in the Potamogetonaceae family, recognized by two distinct inflorescence types absolutely diagnostic.
Diverse-leaved pondweed is a California native perennial found in the northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, northern Sierra Nevada foothills, northern Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, southern California coastal areas, San Jacinto Mountains, and Modoc Plateau in shallow water, ponds, and lakes at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering from April to September, this delicate aquatic plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers in submersed spheric and emergent cylindric inflorescences. Growing with slender stems up to 50 centimeters long and many branches, it develops both submersed linear leaves and floating elliptic leaves. Its leaves are remarkably thin and variable, with submersed leaves typically 6 centimeters long and 1 to 5 millimeters wide, while floating leaves are smaller, 0.5 to 3 centimeters long. The fruit is nearly spheric, compressed, with three distinct keels and measuring 1.1 to 1.8 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; two distinct inflorescence types absolutely diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Shallow water, ponds, lakes
Elevation: < 2500 m
Outside California: to British Columbia, eastern United States, Arizona, Mexico
Bloom period
Potamogeton diversifolius blooms Apr-Sep.
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 diversifolius native to California?
Yes. Potamogeton diversifolius is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Potamogeton diversifolius bloom?
Potamogeton diversifolius blooms Apr-Sep.
What plant family does Potamogeton diversifolius belong to?
Potamogeton diversifolius is in the Potamogetonaceae family, genus Potamogeton.
What habitat does Potamogeton diversifolius grow in?
Potamogeton diversifolius grows in Uncommon. Shallow water, ponds, lakes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.