Etymology: Elodea: Greek elodes for "marsh"
Plants: drooping/tangling, perennial, submersed aquatic, flowers floating; branched stems to 40"; roots shallow
Leaves: linear to lance-like, bright green, stalkless, firm and flat; denser toward the top of the stem; 2-3 per whorl
Flowers: white, 3-to 6-parted (clawed) female flowers small, waxy; rare male flowers in long, thin spathe, stay on the stalk when mature; male and female flowers on separate plants
Habitat: quiet water; in fine sediment soil
Conservation Status: Native

Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 3, Wetland Indicator = OBL University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Wetland Plants: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin