Temperature and light effects on the growth of Potamogeton crispus in Collins Lake, New York State

Potamogeton crispus, the curly leaved pondweed, was found to grow at low temperatures and very low light intensities: less than 1% of the surface irradiance. In both laboratory and lake studies, lower light intensities produced taller plants with fewer stems per propagule than plants grown at higher light intensities. Such a growth pattern may allow P. crispus to exist in deeper or less transparent water than other aquatic plants. Rapid growth in the early spring apparently permits P. crispus to become dominant while other possible competitors are still dormant.