(Planch.) St. John
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.157069
Element CodePMHYD03080
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderHydrocharitales
FamilyHydrocharitaceae
GenusElodea
Other Common NamesÉlodée de Nuttall (FR) western waterweed (EN) Western Waterweed (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-08-13
Change Date1984-04-24
Edition Date2024-08-13
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 ReasonsElodea nuttallii is a perennial aquatic herb occurring in calcareous waters in lakes, ponds, and rivers throughout most of North America from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario east to New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine to North Carolina, west to California and north to Washington in the United States; it is also in Europe as a weedy or introduced species. There are over 300 estimated occurrences in the native range of this species, which are potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, and drought. With a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsElodea nuttallii occurs throughout most of North America, from British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario east to New Brunswick, Canada, south from Maine to North Carolina, west to California, and north to Washington in the United States (FNA 2000, NatureServe 2024). It also occurs in Europe as a weedy or introduced species (FNA 2000, Native Plant Trust 2024). The native range extent of this species was estimated to be over 7 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 19 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 300 occurrences in the native range of this species (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, Elodea nuttallii is potentially threatened by development, water diversion, alteration of hydrology, erosion, succession, recreational activities, invasive species, drought, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.