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Vallisneria americana (American eelgrass)
Pingry, Carl

Vallisneria americana Michx.

American eelgrass, Water celery, Eelgrass, Tapegrass

Hydrocharitaceae (Tape-Grass Family)

USDA Symbol: vaam3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Tape grass leaves are about one inch wide and can be several feet long arising in clusters from their roots. The leaves have rounded tips and raised veins. Single white female flowers grow to the water surface on very long stalks. Tape grass fruit is a banana-like capsule having many tiny seeds.

Can be cultivated in aquariums - needs 5cm thick of rich soil, covered by sand, full light and water temperature between 18 to 20 degrees celsius. (Fleurbec)

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Size Notes: 1-6 inches.
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: In appropriate environments through much of the eastern half of North America, concentrated in the northeastern US and southeastern Canada and on the Gulf Coast, with scattered populations intervening and in the western US. South through Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to northern South America. Also, Asia from the Middle East eastward and south to Australia.
Native Habitat: Lakes and running streams; rare in east Texas and west to the Edwards Plateau.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Aquatic: yes
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: 5 cm of soil below water
Conditions Comments: Water celerys long strap-like leaves grow from stoloniferous clumps submerged under water. In shallow water, leaves may reach and float on the surface. After flowers are fertilized, the flower stalks curl into spirals and pull the flowers under the surface. An important source of food for turtles and other aquatic wildlife. Good for wetland gardens and habitat.

Benefit

Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 1278 - Plantes sauvages des lacs, rivières et tourbières: Guide d'identification Fleurbec (1987) Lamoureux, Gisele, ed.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Vallisneria americana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Vallisneria americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vallisneria americana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-12-27
Research By: LAL, GAP

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