Potamogeton sp.
Pondweed, Pondweed
Family: Potamogetonaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Potamogeton sp. (Pondweed) is a non-native California perennial in the Potamogetonaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Potamogeton sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Potamogeton sp. belong to?
Potamogeton sp. is in the Potamogetonaceae family, genus Potamogeton.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Potamogeton zosteriformis — Eel-grass pondweed
- Potamogeton alpinus — Alpine pondweed
- Potamogeton amplifolius — Broad-leaved pondweed
- Potamogeton berchtoldii — Narrow leaved pondweed
- Potamogeton crispus — Crisp-leaved pondweed
- Potamogeton diversifolius — Diverse-leaved pondweed
- Potamogetonaceae sp. — Pondweed family
- Stuckenia filiformis subsp. alpina — Slender-leaved pondweed
- Stuckenia pectinata — Fennel-leaf pondweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.