Stuckenia pectinata
Fennel-leaf pondweed, Fennel-Leaf Pondweed
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Family: Potamogetonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Stuckenia pectinata (Fennel-leaf pondweed) is a native California herb in the Potamogetonaceae family, recognized by acute leaf tips, non-inflated stipule sheaths, and widespread habitat.
Fennel-leaf pondweed is a native perennial found throughout California in ponds, lakes, marshes, and streams at elevations up to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to July, this aquatic plant produces small, subtle flowers in interrupted whorled clusters. Growing with matted rhizomes and slender stems up to 80 centimeters long, it forms dense underwater meadows with numerous branching stems. Its leaves are exceptionally thin, thread-like, and less than 15 centimeters long, with delicate acute tips measuring only 0.2 to 1 millimeter wide. The fruits are small, typically 2.5 to 5 millimeters long, with a conspicuous beak that distinguishes this adaptable aquatic species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are acute leaf tips, non-inflated stipule sheaths, and widespread habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Ponds, lakes, marshes, streams
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Ventura, Kern, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Solano, Riverside, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Inyo, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Merced, Siskiyou, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lassen, Tulare, Monterey, Imperial, Lake, Napa, Glenn, Stanislaus, Butte
Outside California: worldwide
Bloom period
Stuckenia pectinata blooms May-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Potamogeton: Stuckenia flowers stay submerged on bendy stalks; Potamogeton flowers emerge above water on stiff stalks.; vs Zannichellia: Stuckenia has visible flower spikes; Zannichellia has flowers hidden in leaf axils along the stem.; vs Ruppia: Stuckenia flower stalks stay short and submerged; Ruppia stalks coil and pull fruits to the surface.; vs Ranunculus: Stuckenia has narrow grass-like leaves and tiny greenish flowers; Ranunculus has showy yellow buttercup flowers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stuckenia pectinata native to California?
Yes. Stuckenia pectinata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stuckenia pectinata bloom?
Stuckenia pectinata blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Stuckenia pectinata grow?
Stuckenia pectinata occurs in San Bernardino, Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Ventura, Kern, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Stuckenia pectinata belong to?
Stuckenia pectinata is in the Potamogetonaceae family, genus Stuckenia.
What habitat does Stuckenia pectinata grow in?
Stuckenia pectinata grows in Common. Ponds, lakes, marshes, streams.
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.