Curly Waterweed - Lagarosiphon major
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Species Description
Common and widespread in England and Wales especially around cities. It is more scattered elsewhere. It is increasing. Habitat includes: lakes, ponds, flooded mineral workings, canals. Commonly grow in Britain for 50 years as an oxygenator until its ban in 2016. It is on the European Union's List of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern. It is illegal for this plant to be sold / dumped. Other names include: African elodea, Oxygen Weed, South African Oxygen Weed. Growing habit: Rhizomatous, submerged, aquatic Perennial. Can grow to a water depth of 6.5 m. First recorded as naturalised in 1944. Only Female specimens are recorded in Britain so it spreads only vegetatively.
Confusion species:
It is often sold under the name: Elodea Crispa
- Egeria densa (Large-flowered Waterweed / Brazilian Waterweed / South American waterweed)
- Egeria najas
Genus (Elodea):
agg. - Elodea canadensis/nutallii
- Elodea nuttallii (Nuttall's Waterweed)
- Elodea canadensis (Canadian Waterweed)
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Elodea callitrichoides (South American Waterweed)
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Hydrilla verticillata (Esthwaite Waterweed)
Species Pro Parte:
- Hydrilla lithuanica
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Hydrilla verticillata (Esthwaite Waterweed)
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Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (Frogbit)
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Lagarosiphon major (Curly Waterweed)
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Najas flexilis (Slender Naiad)
- Najas graminea (Naiad)
- Najas marina (Holly-leaved Naiad)
ssp. intermedia
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Stratiotes aloides (Water-soldier)
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Vallisneria spiralis (Tapegrass / straight vallisneria, Eel Grass