L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.128182
Element CodePMPOT030X0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderNajadales
FamilyPotamogetonaceae
GenusPotamogeton
Other Common NamesPotamot nain (FR) small pondweed (EN) Small Pondweed (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for a broad treatment of Potamogeton pusillus, including as subspecies, ssp. gemmiparus and ssp. tenuissimus, as recognized by Haynes and Hellquist in FNA (2000, vol. 22) and Kartesz (1999). Les et al. (2009) exclude ssp. tenuissimus, recognizing it as a species, P. brechtoldii, with ssp. gemmiparus as a subspecies of it along with ssp. clystocarpus, which was recognized as a distinct species in FNA (2000) and Kartesz (1999).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-01
Change Date1988-02-11
Edition Date2024-10-01
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPotamogeton pusillus is an annual or perennial aquatic forb occurring in fresh to brackish, still to flowing, and tidal and non-tidal waters of North, Central, and South America, Greenland, Africa, Europe, and Asia. There are over 2,000 occurrences of this taxon, which are potentially threatened by eutrophication, development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, recreational activities, invasive species, climate change, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Potamogeton pusillus is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPotamogeton pusillus occurs nearly worldwide in North, Central, and South America, Greenland, Africa, Europe, and Asia (POWO 2024). In North America, it occurs all throughout the United States and Canada (FNA 2000). Range extent was estimated to be over 214 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 2,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). However, due to different treatments of this entity (especially as North American and European concepts may differ), and difficulties in identifying members of this group, herbarium records and photo-based observations may underrepresent or overrepresent true abundance.
Threat Impact CommentsPotamogeton pusillus is fairly intolerant of eutrophication, and populations have disappeared from a number of eutrophied sites, only to reappear several decades later once water quality had been restored (Les 2020). Additional threats are not widely documented but likely include development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, recreational activities, invasive species, climate change, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.