Taxon Report

Potamogeton epihydrus Raf.

Nuttall's ribbon-leaved pondweed

Print Report

Louis-M. Landry, 2010

Taxon Summary

Potamogeton epihydrus, commonly known as Nuttall's ribbon-leaved pondweed, is a perennial rhizomatous herb (aquatic) in the Potamogetonaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Marshes and swamps, growing at elevations from 369 to 2172 meters. Potamogeton epihydrus is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

Classification


Scientific Name:	Potamogeton epihydrus Raf.
Common Name:	Nuttall's ribbon-leaved pondweed
Family:	Potamogetonaceae
Element Code:	PMPOT03080
USDA Plants Symbol:	POEP2
Synonyms/Other Names:	Potamogeton epihydrus Raf. ssp. nuttallii (Cham. & Schldl.) Calder & R. Taylor

Ecology and Life History


Lifeform:	perennial rhizomatous herb (aquatic)
Blooming Period: (Jun)Jul-Sep	(Jun)Jul-Sep
Elevation:	369-2172 (1210-7125)
General Habitats:	Marshes and swamps
Microhabitat:
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status


CA Rare Plant Rank:	2B.2
Global Rank:	G5
State Rank:	S2S3
State List:	None
Fed List:	None
Other Status:	IUCN_LC
CRPR Changes:	changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB


Total Occurrences:	25
Element Occurrence Ranks:
Excellent (A)	1
Good (B)	1
Fair (C)	2
Poor (D)	0
None (X)	0
Unknown (U)	21

Location


California Endemic: False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
El Dorado (ELD), Madera (MAD), Mariposa (MPA), Mendocino (MEN), Modoc (MOD), Placer (PLA), Plumas (PLU), Shasta (SHA), Tuolumne (TUO)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Ackerson Mtn. (3711977), Alturas (4112045), Beaver Mtn. (4112086), Beckwourth Pass (3912071), Boles Meadows East (4112067), Cahto Peak (3912365), Cooper Peak (3811927), Covelo East (3912372), Covelo West (3912373), Crescent Mills (4012018), El Capitan (3711966), Eureka Hill (3812385), Falls Ridge (3711984), Ferris Creek (4012013), Igo (4012255), Jacks Butte (4112057), Laytonville (3912364), Little Shuteye Peak (3711944), McGinty Reservoir (4112075), Mt. Bidwell (4112082), Pease Flat (4112085), Pinecrest (3811928), Point Arena (3812386), Pyramid Peak (3812072), South Mtn. (4112076), Surprise (4112054), Tahoe City (3912022), Ten Lakes (3711985), Whiskeytown (4012265), Whittemore Ridge (4112066), Willits (3912343), Yosemite Falls (3711975)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB


Threat List Total:	5
EOs with Threat Listed:	Total EOs	% of EOs
	4	16 %
Non-native plant impacts	2	8%
Recreational use (non-ORV)	2	8%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime	1	4%
ORV activity	1	4%
Pollution	1	4%

Notes



Threatened by recreational activities and water contamination. Possibly threatened by vehicles. Hybridizes with P. nodosus.
Threats:

Taxonomy:

Selected References

Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2025. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 27 January 2025].