Pondweed stems grow to the depth of the fresh water they are situated in and the rusty red oval leaves on the surface of Falklands ponds can make them appear red. Leaves below the surface are green, feathery and soft. Pondweed has very small insignificant purplish flowers. It is an important food for waterfowl and is home to aquatic insects and snails which in turn are food for waterfowl and fish.

Pondweed is on the Falkland Islands Red List as Near Threatened. This plant is legally protected. It is an offence to deliberately pick, collect, cut, uproot or destroy a protected wild plant.

Sources include:Plants of the Falkland Islands - Ali Liddle 2007,The Vascular Flora of the Falkland Islands- D. M. Moore, B.Sc., Ph.D, 1968,

Photographic credits: Robert Maddocks

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