Stem

  • 1-15 ft. long, flattened and channeled; branching can increase at the end of the stem, leading to matting
Photo of curlyleaf pondweed
Curlyleaf pondweed

Leaves

  • Olive green to reddish brown, slightly translucent; alternate, sessile, 1.5-4 in. long, narrow, with toothed margins; leaf margins are wavy with a conspicuous mid-vein; leaf tips are rounded or blunt
Photo of curlyleaf pondweed

Curlyleaf pondweed

Flower

  • Green inconspicuous flowers; stalk supporting the flower will grow 1 in. above water surface; seeds are nutlet-like structures
Photo of curlyleaf pondweed

Curlyleaf pondweed leaves

Root

  • Rhizomes, pale yellow or reddish; will root at the nodes
 
 

Other

  • Grows in ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, reservoirs, irrigation ditches and marshy areas; known to occur in Churchill, Douglas, Elko and Lyon counties
  • Perennial; grows as submersed aquatic plant; will grow from shore out to depths of 15 ft.
  • Spreads aggressively from fragments of roots and stems; produces seed, but seedlings rare
 

Control

  • Mechanical harvesting can reduce plant density, but plants re-sprout from stem fragments; bottom barriers can be used to smother infested areas
  • Chemical controls must be labeled for water use: diquat, endothall, flumioxazin, fluridone, imazamox and others; check label for rates and water temperature requirements; large infestations should be treated a portion at a time to prevent low oxygen levels as plants decompose
Peer Review Logo
Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Curlyleaf pondweed, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Extension Associated Contacts

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Navigating Online Program Delivery With Zoom Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
This publication will explore how four faculty moved their programming online to meet both programmatic and clientele needs.
 L. Chichester, S. Emm, H. Kratsch, C. Restaino 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-29
 

Associated Programs

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Master Gardeners of Nevada

Program trains local gardeners to provide research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

master gardener team sitting on tractor

Master Gardeners of Washoe County

Master Gardeners provide free, research-based horticulture information to Nevadans.

Garden plant and pest sprayers image by Olga Seifutdinova from Getty Images

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a strategy that reduces pests to tolerable levels with lower costs for the pest manager or home gardener and minimal effect on the environment. The IPM program at University of Nevada, Reno Extension focuses on identification and public education with resources for the community including classes, Spanish language resources and a pest directory.