Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris

Synonym: Zannichellia major

Plant Family: Zannichelliaceae

Wetland Indicator Status: OBL

Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris) is a small submergent aquatic plant typically found in shallow water with a sandy substrate.  It has small seeds that grow in a cluster that somewhat resemble a bunch of tiny bananas.  Horned Pondweed is a good source of food for waterfowl.  Being small this plant is often overlooked during plant surveys. Molecular data indicates this plant should be included with the Potamogetonaceae.

Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris

A clump of Horned Pondweed.

Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris Runners

Horned Pondweed Zannichellia palustris growing in only a few inches of water. You can see in this photo that it is spreading along runners.