Common Name: Horned Pondweed

General Information

Zannichellia palustris is a submerged aquatic herb forming dense tangled mats, resembling fine grass; rhizome thin, branching freely; stems erect, to 50 cm long.
A useful plant for stabilizing muddy soils and also for helping in biological water cleaning treatments.
Zannichellia palustris is widespread with stable populations and does not face any major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

A cosmopolitan plant, found in most areas of the world with a temperate to subtropical climate

Habitat

Still or slow-flowing fresh water, or in brackish water[]. Rivers and pools, on rocky and stony substrate, in fresh to slightly alkaline water 2.5 - 45 cm deep, where it may be locally dominant over small areas; at elevations up to 1,800 metres

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Water
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A submerged water plant, it is a useful oxygenator for cool water ponds[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

This plant has proved to be valuable for stabilizing muddy banks and in the purification of polluted water[].

Propagation

Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in a pot submerged in water. The seed is likely to have a short viability if allowed to become dry. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division is easy at almost any time in the growing season[].