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Native Plant Society of Texas

American Eelgrass

Vallisneria americana

Other common name(s):

Water Celery, Eelgrass, Tapegrass

Family:

Hydrocharitaceae (Waternymph Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous, Wetland

Height

6
to
4
ft.

Spread

.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Rich, Moist, Mud

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

High

Native Habitat

Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Aquatic Wildlife

Maintenance

Good for wetland gardens and ponds. Prefers shallow water, in calm, shallow lakes and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms. Rare in the wild but can be found in cultivation. The plant filters the surrounding water by capturing excess nutrients and sequestering carbon. It stabilizes sediment and shorelines. A freshwater species that can tolerate saline conditions. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-November. Tapegrass leaves are about one inch wide and can be up to 6 feet long, rising in clusters from their roots. Male and female flowers are found on different plants. Male flowers are submersed. The white female flowers usually float on the surface of the water, growing from long stalks. The flower stalk coils after fertilization to submerse the fruit. The fruit is a cylindrical, ridged capsule opening irregularly to release many small seeds. An important source of food for turtles and other aquatic wildlife. Provides a habitat for fish and invertebrates.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Vallisneria asiatica, Vallisneria neotropicalis, Vallisneria spiralis, Vallisneria spiralis var. asiatica

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Allow seeds to sit in pods for 1-2 months until pods break down; it is easier to remove seeds from the gel matrix that surrounds them in the pods. It appears that seeds can be stored in tap water at 4 C for up to a year with no loss in viability; after 2 years in germination decreased over 50%.. Collect green seed pods from plants in early fall (Sept-Oct) from stock plants maintained in our greenhouse or in outdoor tanks because of state restrictions on harvesting material in the wild; seeds for stock plants were originally collected from wild plants prior to implementation of a permitting process. Seed pods are ready if we can break them open and observe that many of the seeds inside are dark brown and hard. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VAAM3 2) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=hydrocharitaceae-vallisneria-2355#:~:text=Seed:%20We%20collect%20green%20seed,plants%20maintained%20in%20outdoor%20tanks.
Stolon Division Cut any excess lengths of stolon from plantlets or turions, and plant immediately in greenhouse tanks. Do not store these materials in 4 C cooler. Plantlets stored moist (in a moistened paper towel inside a plastic bag) tend to dry out rapidly and those in water still lose color and die; turions stored moist or wet turn black and soft. Replanting. In late fall, dig turions (overwintering structures) that also form at the end of stolons from the soil around our stock plants maintained in outdoor tanks. Break small plantlets/rosettes off the end of stock plant stolons at any time of the year https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=hydrocharitaceae-vallisneria-2355#:~:text=Seed:%20We%20collect%20green%20seed,plants%20maintained%20in%20outdoor%20tanks.

American Eelgrass

Vallisneria americana

Other names:

Water Celery, Eelgrass, Tapegrass

Family:

Hydrocharitaceae (Waternymph Family)

Characteristics
Growth Form:
Herbaceous, Wetland
Height:
6
to
4
ft.
Spread:
.5
to
1
ft.
Leaf Retention:
Deciduous
Lifespan:
Perennial
Soil:
Sand, Rich, Moist, Mud
Light:
Sun, Part Shade
Water:
High
Native Habitat:
Wetland or Riparian
Photo Credit: Cressler, Alan, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=47075
Photo Credit: Cressler, Alan, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=47073
Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Blackland Prairie
Color:
White
Season:
Spring, Summer, Fall
Seasonal Interest:
Seeds, Forage
Wildlife Benefit:
Birds, Aquatic Wildlife
Good for wetland gardens and ponds. Prefers shallow water, in calm, shallow lakes and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms. Rare in the wild but can be found in cultivation. The plant filters the surrounding water by capturing excess nutrients and sequestering carbon. It stabilizes sediment and shorelines. A freshwater species that can tolerate saline conditions. Propagation: seed.
Blooms April-November. Tapegrass leaves are about one inch wide and can be up to 6 feet long, rising in clusters from their roots. Male and female flowers are found on different plants. Male flowers are submersed. The white female flowers usually float on the surface of the water, growing from long stalks. The flower stalk coils after fertilization to submerse the fruit. The fruit is a cylindrical, ridged capsule opening irregularly to release many small seeds. An important source of food for turtles and other aquatic wildlife. Provides a habitat for fish and invertebrates.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Allow seeds to sit in pods for 1-2 months until pods break down; it is easier to remove seeds from the gel matrix that surrounds them in the pods. It appears that seeds can be stored in tap water at 4 C for up to a year with no loss in viability; after 2 years in germination decreased over 50%.. Collect green seed pods from plants in early fall (Sept-Oct) from stock plants maintained in our greenhouse or in outdoor tanks because of state restrictions on harvesting material in the wild; seeds for stock plants were originally collected from wild plants prior to implementation of a permitting process. Seed pods are ready if we can break them open and observe that many of the seeds inside are dark brown and hard. 1) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VAAM3 2) https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=hydrocharitaceae-vallisneria-2355#:~:text=Seed:%20We%20collect%20green%20seed,plants%20maintained%20in%20outdoor%20tanks.
Stolon Division Cut any excess lengths of stolon from plantlets or turions, and plant immediately in greenhouse tanks. Do not store these materials in 4 C cooler. Plantlets stored moist (in a moistened paper towel inside a plastic bag) tend to dry out rapidly and those in water still lose color and die; turions stored moist or wet turn black and soft. Replanting. In late fall, dig turions (overwintering structures) that also form at the end of stolons from the soil around our stock plants maintained in outdoor tanks. Break small plantlets/rosettes off the end of stock plant stolons at any time of the year https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=hydrocharitaceae-vallisneria-2355#:~:text=Seed:%20We%20collect%20green%20seed,plants%20maintained%20in%20outdoor%20tanks.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Vallisneria asiatica, Vallisneria neotropicalis, Vallisneria spiralis, Vallisneria spiralis var. asiatica

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason