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Family: Hydrocharitaceae Scientific name: Elodea canadensis Description: Plant Form: Submerged aquatic perennial herb. Size: Stems up to 6 m long but submerged. Stem: Green to brownish, slender, buoyant near surface. Upper stems crowded together. Leaves: In rings of 3-5 around stem, 5 to 20 mm long, bright green. Flowers: Inconspicuous, solitary floating, white to purplish, 3 petaled, on whitish flowering stems. Fruit and Seeds: Do not occur in Australia currently, but small egg-shaped capsules 6-9 mm long. Habitat: Freshwater ponds, shallow lakes, waterholes, reservoirs. Distinguishing Features: Generally shorter leaves and less conspicuous flowers than lookalikes.