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 laves

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
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

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch
Heidi Kratsch
 

Also of Interest:

 
Needs Assessment for Noxious Weeds in Churchill County: Part 4 of 5 - Criteria for Herbicide Use and Selection
This fact sheet is the fourth in a series of five that reports the results of a needs assessment survey completed by faculty in University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE). The survey attempted to identify the major issues related to the management and control of weeds in N...
 Davison, J., Powell, P., Schultz, B., and Singletary, L. 2012, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
Nevada’s Priority Agricultural Weeds: Hoary Cress
Plants commonly referred to as hoary cress (Cardaria sp.), or short whitetop, are one of three different but closely related perennial forbs. The Cardaria species are widespread across all eleven Western states, including every county in Nevada.
 B. Schultz, S. Foster 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-21-03
African mustard plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide - African mustard
African mustard is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., H. Kratsch, Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of common crupina stem
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common crupina
Common crupina is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
Photo of Common St. Johnswort plant
Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Common St. Johnswort
Common St. Johnswort is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed.
 Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide
 

Associated Programs

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Master Gardeners of Douglas County

Learn about the Master Gardener program in Douglas County, Nevada.

Master Gardeners at tabling event

Master Gardeners of Nevada

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

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training cb

Weed Warriors Invasive Weed Training

The Weed Warriors program tackles the growing problem of weeds on public and private land.