Cape pondweed
Aponogeton distachyos
Family: Aponogetonaceae
Other Common Names: waterblommetjie, water hawthorn, vleikos, cape-pondweed
Weed class: monitor list
Year Listed: 2023
Native to: South Africa
Is this Weed Toxic?:
Not known to be
Why Is It a Noxious Weed?
This plant is on the monitor list - it is not a listed noxious weed in Washington. Please contact its sponsor Wesley Glisson at wes.glisson@ecy.wa.gov with the Department of Ecology to report locations or for more information.
How would I identify it?
General Description
This aquatic flowering plant has leaves that sit on the water surface and flowers that emerge above the leaves. They are the most green and flowering during the fall, in mild winters, and in spring, going dormant in warm summer months.
Flower Description
Erect spikes of white flowers grow in "Y" shapes up, growing up from the water surface. Each flower has 1 oval white petal, and they grow in pairs, alternately up each arm of the Y stems. At the base of each petal are several dark stamens. Flowering happens throughout mild winters.
Leaf description
Lance to narrow oval shaped leaves, 2-10 in long and 0.5-3 in wide, deep green, with 7-9 parallel veins, and sit on top of the water.
Stem description
Thin stems stretch from the roots in the substrate at the bottom of the water, to the surface, where the leaves sit.
Where does it grow?
Calm ponds, lakes, ditches, and vernal pools. Prefers shallow water.
Additional Photos
