common elodea USDA PLANTS Symbol: ELCA7
U.S. Nativity: Native
Habit: Forbs/Herbs
Elodea canadensis Michx
Jump to: Images | Distribution Maps | Sources
Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Hydrocharitales: Hydrocharitaceae
Synonym(s): Canadian waterweed, broad waterweed, Canada waterweed
Appearance
Elodea canadensis is a perennial aquatic plant, native to most of North America. It can reach up to 9.8 ft. (3 m) in length.
Foliage
The leaves are a bright, translucent green. The leaves can grow up to 0.67 in. (1.7 cm) long and 0.16 in. (0.4) wide.
Flowers
It lives entirely underwater, the only exception being the small white or pale purple flowers which float at the surface and are attached to the plant by delicate stalks. The flowers have three small white petals on them. Flowering will occur from May to October.
Fruit
The fruit is an ovoid capsule, about 0.23 in. (0.58 cm) long containing several seeds that ripen underwater. The seeds are 0.16 to 0.2 in. (0.4-0.5 cm) long.
Ecological Threat
Elodea canadensis grows rapidly in favorable conditions and can choke shallow ponds, canals, and the margins of some slow-flowing rivers.
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); leaf
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); leaf
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); leaf
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage;
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); habitat
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources: