Stuckenia striata
Nevada pondweed, Nevada Pondweed
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Family: Potamogetonaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Stuckenia striata (Nevada pondweed) is a native California herb in the Potamogetonaceae family, recognized by wider leaves 1.5-5mm, whitish stems, absence of tubers, alkaline habitat preference.
Nevada pondweed is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Great Basin, and eastern Mojave Desert regions in shallow, alkaline water, ponds, and lakes at elevations below 1,450 meters. Flowering from July to August, this aquatic plant produces small whitish flowers in whorled, interrupted axillary clusters. Growing with branching stems up to 60 centimeters long, it spreads through rhizomes and lacks tubers. Its narrow, linear leaves are 2 to 10 centimeters long with 3 to 5 veins and a distinctive abrupt, pointed tip, typically measuring 1.5 to 5 millimeters wide. The fruit is 3 to 3.9 millimeters long with a conspicuous beak.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are wider leaves 1.5-5mm, whitish stems, absence of tubers, alkaline habitat preference
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Shallow, alkaline water, ponds, lakes
Elevation: < 1450 m
Outside California: to Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Mexico, Central America, South America
Bloom period
Stuckenia striata blooms Jul-Aug.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 striata native to California?
Yes. Stuckenia striata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Stuckenia striata bloom?
Stuckenia striata blooms Jul-Aug.
What plant family does Stuckenia striata belong to?
Stuckenia striata is in the Potamogetonaceae family, genus Stuckenia.
Is Stuckenia striata rare or endangered?
Stuckenia striata carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2S3.
What habitat does Stuckenia striata grow in?
Stuckenia striata grows in Uncommon. Shallow, alkaline water, ponds, lakes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Stuckenia filiformis subsp. alpina — Slender-leaved pondweed
- Stuckenia pectinata — Fennel-leaf pondweed
- Stuckenia sp. — Pondweed
- Potamogeton alpinus — Alpine pondweed
- Potamogeton amplifolius — Broad-leaved pondweed
- Potamogeton berchtoldii — Narrow leaved pondweed
- Potamogeton crispus — Crisp-leaved pondweed
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.