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Pingry, Carl
Vallisneria americana
Vallisneria americana Michx.
American Eelgrass, Water Celery, Eelgrass, Tapegrass
Hydrocharitaceae (Tape-Grass Family)
Synonym(s): Vallisneria asiatica, Vallisneria neotropicalis, Vallisneria spiralis, Vallisneria spiralis var. asiatica
USDA Symbol: VAAM3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Tapegrass 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. Tapegrass 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)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Submersed stems may be up to 6 feet long. Flowers usually float on the surface of the water.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
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 , WVCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: 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.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: HighLight 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 celery's 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: yesAttracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsCommercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations: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.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Vallisneria americana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vallisneria americana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vallisneria americana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: LAL, GAP