Common Name: Fennel-Leaved Pondweed

General Information

Stuckenia pectinata is an aquatic herbaceous plant with stems usually up to 100cm long. It is generally completely submersed, except for the reproductive spike that peaks above the water. It is nearly unbranched at the base, becoming freely branched towards the top[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. It can be used to remove toxins from aquatic environments and also to help reduce erosion along the edges of aquatic environments.
This species may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace more desirable vegetation
if not properly managed. It is considered to be a nuisance weed or noxious weed in irrigation canals and in some waters that are used for recreational purposes[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

An almost cosmopolitan plant, found in most areas of the world including Britain

Habitat

Ponds, rivers, canals, ditches etc, especially in base-rich waters, avoiding acid conditions and shade[, ]. Semi-permanent to permanently flooded areas where the water is less than 250cm deep and the flow is less than 1 metre per second[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Water
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Stuckenia pectinata is a cosmopolitan plant, found in most regions of the world, though not in Australia.
The plant can grow in nearly all bottom substrates and can tolerate high salinity, pH, and alkaline water[]. It is best given a loam based medium in full sun[].
Plants are able to tolerate up to 3 months in a year when the water is absent[].
A polymorphic species[].
A fast growing plant in need of constant checking to make sure it does not overrun the pond[]. It provides a very good food source for ducks and other water fowl[].
Plants do not flower every year[]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus, the resulting progeny is usually sterile[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and stems[]. No more details are given.

Root - raw[]. It tastes like nuts[]. The outer rind should be removed[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the plant is used in the treatment of a feverish liver[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A submerged aquatic plant that can be used as an oxygenator of ponds[].
The plant may be used to suppress phytoplankton blooms in ponds and lakes by taking up phosphorus from the water[].
The plant may also be used to monitor heavy metal pollution in rivers[].
The wave dampening action of the plant can be used for erosion control of shores and dams[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a pot that is standing in its own depth of water in a greenhouse as soon as the seed is ripe if this is possible. Stored seed is likely to have a short viability. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and increase the depth of water around the pot until the plants are covered by a few centimetres of water. Grow the plants on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter, increasing the depth of water as the plants grow larger. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Division in spring[].
Cuttings of erect shoots in the growing season[].