Appearance
Elodea canadensis is a perennial aquatic plant, native to most of North America. It can reach up to 9.8 ft. (3 m) in length.

Foliage
The leaves are bright, translucent green. The leaves can grow up to 0.67 in. (1.7 cm) long and 0.16 in. (0.4) wide.

Flowers
It lives entirely underwater, the only exception being the small white or pale purple flowers that float at the surface and are attached to the plant by delicate stalks. The flowers have three small white petals on them. Flowering will occur from May to October.

Fruit
The fruit is an ovoid capsule, about 0.23 in. (0.58 cm) long containing several seeds that ripen underwater. The seeds are 0.16 to 0.2 in. (0.4-0.5 cm) long.

Ecological Threat
Elodea canadensis grows rapidly in favorable conditions and can choke shallow ponds, canals, and the margins of some slow-flowing rivers.

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