Potamogeton tennesseensis

Rhizomes present. Cauline stems terete, without spots, 10–35 cm; glands absent. Turions absent. Leaves both submersed and floating or floating absent, ± spirally arranged. Submersed leaves sessile, lax; stipules persistent, inconspicuous, convolute, adnate to blade for ¼ or less stipule length, light brown to dark green, ligulate, 0.5–1.5 cm, not fibrous, not shredding at tip, apex acute; blade red-brown to dark green, linear-filiform, not arcuate, 2.5–10.5 cm × 0.2–1(–2) mm, base slightly tapering, not clasping, without basal lobes, margins entire, not crispate, apex not hoodlike, long tapering, lacunae abundant, broad, filling area between margin and midvein; veins 1–3. Floating leaves petiolate; petioles continuous in color to apex, 2.5–6 cm; blade greenish brown adaxially, lance-oblong, 2–4(–5.5) cm × 5–13 mm, base acute, apex acute; veins 9–23. Inflorescences unbranched, emersed; peduncle not dimorphic, axillary, ascending, cylindric, 3–8 cm; spikes not dimorphic, cylindric, 10–22 mm. Fruits sessile, greenish brown, quadrate-orbicular, slightly compressed, abaxially keeled, laterally ridged, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 mm; lateral ridges without points; beak present, erect, 0.5 mm; sides without basal tubercles; embryo with less than 1 full spiral.

Phenology: Flowering mid spring–fall.
Habitat: Slow- to fast-moving streams and rivers
Elevation: 200–1000 m

Ky., Md., N.C., Ohio, Pa., Tenn., Va., W.Va.

Discussion

No specimens have been seen from Maryland although the species is to be expected there.

Of conservation concern.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa