Ceratophyllum echinatum
North America's only endemic Ceratophyllum species, with spiny fruits.
Ceratophyllum echinatum, also called prickly coontail or spiny coontail, is a perennial aquatic plant native to North America. It gets its name from its fruits, which are covered in warts and long spines. This species is the only member of its genus that is endemic to North America, and it grows mainly in ponds and lakes across the eastern part of the continent.
The genus name *Ceratophyllum* combines the Greek words *keras* (horn) and *phyllon* (leaf), referring to the plant’s stiff, narrow leaf divisions. The species name *echinatum* comes from *echinus*, meaning sea urchin or hedgehog.
This plant is an aquatic herb that usually lacks roots. Its stems branch freely and can reach up to 4 meters (13 feet) in length. The submerged leaves typically grow in whorls of 5 to 12. The flowers are tiny and lack petals, but they have 3 to 15 sepals that are sometimes mistaken for petals. Each flower is either male or female, with about 12 to 16 stamens. Blooming occurs from February to July. The fruits contain dry seeds and are covered in spines with a rough surface.
Several U.S. states list this species as special concern (Maine, Tennessee), threatened (New York), or endangered (Maryland, New Jersey).
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Ceratophyllum
- Species
- echinatum
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ceratophyllum echinatum is an aquatic herb that typically lacks roots, with stems that are freely branching and can reach up to 4 meters in length. Its leaves are submerged and arranged in whorls of 5 to 12. The flowers are tiny, without petals, and have sepals (3 to 15) that are sometimes mistaken for petals; each flower is either male or female and contains about 12 to 16 stamens. The plant blooms from February to July. Its fruits are dry seeds with spines and a rough surface, which give the species its common name.
Reader's Guide
Ceratophyllum echinatum is significant as the only species of its genus endemic to North America, found principally in ponds and lakes of eastern North America. Its name reflects the distinctive spiny fruits, which have a warty surface and long spines. The genus name Ceratophyllum, from Greek for 'horn' and 'leaf,' describes the stiff, narrow leaf divisions, while the specific epithet echinatum, from Latin for 'sea urchin' or 'hedgehog,' further emphasizes the spiny nature of the fruit. The plant's conservation status varies across its range: several states list it as special concern (Maine, Tennessee), threatened (New York), or endangered (Maryland, New Jersey). Its perennial, rootless growth and submerged leaves make it a notable component of aquatic ecosystems in eastern North America.
Did You Know?
- Its fruits have a warty surface and long spines, giving the plant its common name.
- The flowers have no petals but have sepals that are sometimes mistaken for petals.
More in Aquarium and Aquatic Plants, Part 3 1-24
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