This submerged aquatic perennial occurs in both standing and flowing waters, including rapidly flowing, peaty streams and rivers in which few other macrophytes grow. In Scotland and Ireland it occurs in a wide range of habitats (including, occasionally, highly calcareous sites) but in S.E. England it is confined to acidic, mesotrophic or oligotrophic waters. 0-780 m (Lochan an Tairbh-uisge, Mid Perth).
It is a robust, perennial plant of clear or slightly turbid, still or slowly flowing calcareous water in lakes, streams, canals and ditches. It occurs over both peaty and inorganic substrates. It flowers and sets seed, and also perennates by specialised turions which are produced in the leaf axils. Lowland.
Site design and content copyright ©May 2008. Page structure amended October 2012. Chris Garnons-Williams.