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Elodea Facts

Elodea Facts
Elodea (also known as anacharis in North America) is aquatic plant that belongs to the family of tape-grasses. There are 6 species of elodea that originate from North and South America. Elodea can survive in various wet habitats, but it prefers cold waters and spring-fed ponds with fine sediment on the bottom. It quickly reproduces and easily occupies new areas and prevents growth of native plant species. Elodea is classified as weed in most countries outside its native range. People cultivate elodea mostly in ornamental purposes.
Interesting Elodea Facts:
Elodea has long, slender, multi-branched stem that can reach more than 9.8 feet in length.
Elodea is not free-floating plant. It uses root to attach itself to the substrate.
Elodea produces blade-shaped leaves with finely toothed edges. They are arranged in whorls, composed of 2 to 3 (rarely up to 8) leaves. Elodea is one of the rare aquatic plants that remains green all year round. Leaves can be bright or dark green colored.
Elodea is dioecious plant, which means that each plant produces either male and female flowers. Flowers are small and white colored. They are born on top of the short flowering stems, above the surface of the water. Layer of wax on the surface of petals prevents sinking of flowers.
Elodea blooms from May to October. Female flowers freely float on the surface of water until they bump on the male flowers. This "collision" initiates transfer of pollen and leads to successful pollination of the flowers.
Fruit of elodea is cylindrical or oval capsule filled with small seed.
Elodea propagates via seed and (more commonly) via fragmentation of the stem. Division of the stem takes place during the autumn. Leafy stalks of elodea float and establish themselves elsewhere.
Name "elodea" is derived from Greek word " helodes" which means "of marshes". Name refers to the typical habitats where elodea can be found.
Elodea provides shelter and food for many aquatic insects, crustaceans and fish.
Elodea is often used in decorative purposes in the freshwater aquariums.
Elodea quickly grows in waters rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. Rapid growth of elodea reduces oxygen content in the water and leads to fish kills. It also chokes waterways and prevents normal boat traffic, water sports and fishing in the ponds.
Grass carp is "biological weapon" used for elimination of elodea from the ponds.
Due to ability to quickly escape from the cultivation and invade new areas, selling and cultivation of elodea is prohibited in some countries (such as Texas).
Elodea and bromothymol blue are often used in classrooms to demonstrate that plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis (bromothymol blue is chemical substance which changes color in blue when plant absorbs carbon dioxide).
Elodea is perennial plant, which means that it can survive more than 2 years in the wild.


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