1. Curly-leaf Pondweed Growth & Identification Barbara Liukkonen University of Minnesota Extension Service Carver County, June 16, 2006

2. Curly Leaf Pondweed Non-native, “Exotic” Aquatic Invasive Species or AIS Submergent aquatic plant Potamogeton crispus Similar to other pondweeds Can be very invasive

3. Curly-leaf pondweed in 700+ sites

4. Distribution of CLPW across Minnesota As of 2005

5. Habitat Deep water plant Deep water plant Colonizes water 1–2 feet deep Colonizes water 1–2 feet deep Spreads depths of 10 or more feet Spreads to depths of 10 or more feet Tolerates low light Tolerates low light

6. Growth habitat Grows well in disturbed sites Grows well in disturbed sites Can grow under or snow- covered ice Can grow under algae or snow- covered ice Strong roots allow growth in lakes or moderate streams Strong roots allow growth in lakes or moderate streams

7. Curly-leaf Life Cycle Its unique life cycle gives curly leaf a competitive advantage over many other aquatic plants

8. Life cycle Autumn/winter Sprouts buds from turions Sprouts buds from turions Remains alive during winter Remains alive during winter Can grow under ice Can grow under iceSpring Rapid growth while other plants continue dormancy Rapid growth while other plants continue dormancy J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16 summer fall spring winter

9. Life cycle Spring/summer May form dense mats May form dense mats Flower spikes/seeds Flower spikes/seeds Turions form in leaf axils Turions form in leaf axils summer fall spring winter J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16

10. Life cycle J.R. Wehrmeister and R.L. Stuckey. 1992. Life History of Potamogeton crispus. Mich. Botanist. 31(1):3-16 summer fall spring winter Summer/fall Turions drop Turions drop Disperse by water movement Disperse by water movement Sink to bottom of lake Sink to bottom of lake Lie dormant Lie dormant Cycle begins again Cycle begins again

11. Curly Leaf Identification Key point # 1 Leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stem Leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stem Typical in many pondweeds Typical in many pondweeds

12. Curly Leaf Identification Key point #2 Branching vein pattern Branching vein pattern Only pondweed with branching vein pattern Only pondweed with branching vein pattern

13. Curly Leaf Identification Key point #3 Serrated leaf margin Serrated leaf margin Only 1 other pondweed species has serrated margin Only 1 other pondweed species has serrated margin

14. Curly Leaf Identification Leaves are very wavy and may be reddish in color, but this is not unique to curly leaf pondweed

15. Look-alike plants Curly leaf pondweed Potamogeton crispis Richardson’s pondweed Potamogeton richardsonii Smooth leaf margin Vein pattern is parallel Leaf clasps stem Serrated leaf margin Branching vein pattern Leaves not clasping stem

16. Recommended Reading: Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide to Aquatic Plants Through the Looking Glass: A Field Guide to Aquatic Plants by Borman, S., Korth, R. & Tempte, J. (1997). Available from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership at (715) 346-2116 Special thanks to: Mary Blickenderfer, UM Extension Service Mary Blickenderfer, UM Extension Service Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service Eleanor Burkett, UM Extension Service Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural Resources Wendy Crowell, MN Department of Natural Resources Cynthia Hagley, MN Sea Grant Program Cynthia Hagley, MN Sea Grant Program

17. The information and drawings in this slide show are copyright by the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, 2006. If you want to reproduce or reuse them, please contact Barb Liukkonen, liukk001@umn.edu, or Mary Blickenderfer, blick002@umn.edu from the University of Minnesota Extension Service liukk001@umn.edublick002@umn.edu liukk001@umn.edublick002@umn.edu