Editing Elodea (section)

{{Short description|Genus of aquatic plants}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Elodea canadensis.jpeg
| image_caption = ''[[Elodea canadensis]]'' foliage detail
| taxon = Elodea
| authority = [[André Michaux|Michx.]], 1803
| subdivision_ranks = 
| subdivision = 
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO">{{cite POWO |id=30042890-2 |title=''Elodea'' Michx. |access-date=13 October 2024}}</ref>
| synonyms = {{Species list
 | Anacharis | [[Louis Claude Richard|Rich.]] (1808)
 | Apalanthe | [[Planch.]] (1848)
 | Diplandra | [[Carlo Giuseppe Bertero|Bertero]] (1829)
 | Egeria | Planch. (1849)
 | Hydora | [[Wilibald Swibert Joseph Gottlieb von Besser|Besser]] (1832)
 | Philotria | [[Raf.]] (1818)
 | Serpicula | [[Frederick Traugott Pursh|Pursh]] (1816)
 | Udora | [[Nutt.]] (1818)
}}
}}

'''''Elodea''''' is a [[genus]] of eight species of [[aquatic plant]]s often called the '''waterweeds''' described as a genus in 1803. Classified in the frog's-bit family ([[Hydrocharitaceae]]), ''Elodea'' is native to the [[Americas]]<ref name="POWO" /> and is also widely used as [[aquarium]] vegetation and laboratory demonstrations of cellular activities. It lives in fresh water.<ref>Luteyn, J. L. 1999. Páramos, a checklist of plant diversity, geographical distribution, and botanical literature. Memoirs of The New York Botanical Garden  84: viii–xv, 1–278</ref> An older name for this genus is ''Anacharis'', which serves as a common name in North America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=111486|title=Elodea in Flora of North America @ efloras.org|website=www.efloras.org|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref>

The introduction of some species of ''Elodea'' into waterways in parts of Europe, Australia, Africa, Asia, and New Zealand has created a significant problem and it is now considered a noxious [[weed]] in these areas.

;Species<ref name="POWO" />
# ''[[Elodea bifoliata]]'' {{small|H.St.John}} – Canada ([[Alberta|AB]], [[Saskatchewan|SK]]), W United States ([[Oregon|OR]] + [[California|CA]] to [[New Mexico|NM]] + [[Minnesota|MN]]) 
# ''[[Elodea callitrichoides]]'' {{small|(Rich.) Casp.}} – Argentina, Uruguay
# ''[[Elodea canadensis]]'' {{small|Michx.}} – most of United States + Canada
# ''[[Elodea densa]]'' {{small|(Planch.) Casp.}}
# ''[[Elodea granatensis]]'' {{small|Bonpl.}} – much of South America
# ''[[Elodea heterostemon]]'' {{small|(S.Koehler & C.P.Bove) Byng & Christenh.}}
# ''[[Elodea najas]]'' {{small|(Planch.) Casp.}}
# ''[[Elodea nuttallii]]'' {{small|(Planch.) H.St.John}} – much of United States + Canada 
# ''[[Elodea potamogeton]]'' {{small|(Bertero) Espinosa}} – Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador