American Eelgrass, Water Celery, Eelgrass, Tapegrass, Vallisneria asiatica, Vallisneria neotropicalis, Vallisneria spiralis, Vallisneria spiralis var. asiatica
Vallisneria americana (Water Celery) is an evergreen, submerged aquatic perennial with clusters of attractive ribbon-like leaves, about 1 in. wide (2.5 cm), that can grow up to 3 ft. long (90 cm), from stoloniferous runners. In shallow water, the leaves may reach and float on the surface. Blooming from mid-spring to late summer, this aquatic plant produces single white female flowers that grow to the water surface on very long stalks. After pollination, the flower stalks curl into spirals and pull the flowers underwater, where they give way to banana-like capsules containing many tiny seeds. Dispersal is achieved via these seeds as well as stolons. Water Celery is a fast grower, able to reach full height in two months of optimum growing conditions. Water Celery is a valuable plant. It is a beneficial oxygenating plant in wetland gardens and ponds where it filters water and reduces algae. It also provides shelter for small fishes and aquatic invertebrates. Finally, it is particularly attractive to wildlife. Diving ducks, like the canvasback (Aythya valisineria), consume huge amounts of the plant by plunging to the base of the wild celery to eat its rhizomes. Waterfowl and turtles also feed on the roots, tubers, shoots, and seeds. Water Celery requires little maintenance once established.
Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants |
Plant Family | Hydrocharitaceae |
Common names | Eelgrass |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | Australia, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Midwest, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens |
Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Aquatic Plants |
Plant Family | Hydrocharitaceae |
Common names | Eelgrass |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | High |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Poorly Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
Native Plants | Australia, United States, Northeast, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Midwest, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Washington, Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Southeast, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Wet Soil |
Garden Uses | Ponds And Streams, Water Gardens |
How many Vallisneria americana (Water Celery) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Vallisneria americana (Water Celery) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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