coon's tail
Family
CeratophyllaceaeScientific Name
Ceratophyllum demersumOther Common Names:
hornwort
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Ceratophyllum apiculatum
Ceratophyllum demersum var. apiculatum
Leaves
All parts of the plant, including the leaves, are rough to the touch. Leaves are submersed, finely dissected, and occur in whorls of 5 or more. Individual leaves are linear in outline, to 3/4 inch long, and are toothed along one margin only. Leaves become more and more crowded toward the stem tip.
Identifying Characteristics
An aquatic annual weed that is submersed and has the overall appearance of a coon s tail . Submersed aquatic weed that resembles a coon s tail. The toothed margin along one side of the leaves of coontail help to distinguish this from most other submersed aquatic weeds.
Flower Seed Head
Small, solitary, without a stalk, and occur at the leaf bases (leaf axils). Flowers are inconspicuous and have no sepals and petals. Flowers also remain submersed throughout the year.
Seed Fruit
An achene.
Where Found
This weed is capable of forming large colonies in fairly deep water of lakes and ponds and is found throughout the southeastern United States
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
pencil
Dominant Flower Color
green
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
no hairs
Leaf Shape
needle
Leaf Arrangement
whorled
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
palmate
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Life Cycle
perennial
Plant Type
Herb