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Elodea canadensis

Canadian pondweed

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of The Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order (1985), as amended, as an invasive non-native species and is banned from sale. See cultivation notes for further details A semi-evergreen, aquatic perennial with a cluster of submerged, branched stems clothed with close-set, recurved, dark green leaves

Other common names
Canadian waterweed
American waterweed
see morechoke pondweed
ditch moss
little snakeweed
water thyme
Synonyms
Anacharis canadensis
Anacharis alsinastrum
see moreAnacharis occidentalis

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Hydrocharitaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Submerged, Floating
Genus

Elodea are submerged, aquatic perennials with erect, spreading stems and bright green leaves borne in whorls of three. Tiny, solitary flowers are produced in the leaf axils.

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N America

How to grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild IN ENGLAND, WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes Spreads by stem fragments; all plants in the UK are female

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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