oxygen weed
(Lagarosiphon major)
This species is a Cultivar and may be non-native across its range in the United States
Overview
Appearance
Lagarosiphon major is a perennial, submerged aquatic plant that can grow in dense mats up to 6.6-9.8 ft. (2-3 m) thick.
Foliage
The stems, which can reach the surface, are brittle and sparsely branched, 0.12-0.2 in. (3-5 mm) in diameter and curved towards the base (J-shaped). The leaves are 0.2-0.8 in. (5-20 mm) long and 0.08-0.12 in. (2-3 mm) wide, and occur in alternate spirals along the stem.
Flowers
The flowers have three petals and are very small 0.01 in. (0.25 mm) in diameter and up to 2.4 in. (6 cm) long, and clear-white to pink on the surface.
Fruit
The fruit capsule is beaked with seeds 0.13 in. (0.32 cm) long, averaging nine to a fruit. Lagarosiphon major can also reproduce by stem fragments.
Ecological Threat
Lagarosiphon major is fast-growing and may completely fill the volume of a large shallow lake up to 9.8 in. (3 m) deep. It is native to southern Africa.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- California Noxious Weeds
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Indiana Invasive Species Council - Invasive Plant List
- Indiana Pest Species
- Indiana Prohibited Plant Species
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Michigan’s Prohibited and Restricted Species
- Minnesota DNR invasive species list
- New Hampshire Prohibited Aquatic Species
- South Carolina Illegal Aquatic Plants
- South Carolina Plant Pest List
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- Wisconsin Noxious Weeds
- Wisconsin's Invasive species rule – NR 40
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Alismatales |
| Family: Hydrocharitaceae |
| Genus: Lagarosiphon |
| Lagarosiphon major |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
oxygen-weed, African elodea,South African oxygen weed
Related Scientific Names:
Lagarosiphon muscoides Harvey (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.