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Ceratophyllum demersum  L.
Coon's tail,   Hornwort
© 2023 Zoya Akulova-Barlow
© 2018 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2022 Donald Burk
© 2018 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2022 Bob Sweatt
© 2023 Ellen Uhler
© 2020 David popp
© 2018 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2018 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2016 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2023 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2016 Ron Vanderhoff
© 2013 Ron Vanderhoff
Ceratophyllum demersum is a perennial herb that is native to California.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
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Bloom Period
Genus: Ceratophyllum
Family: Ceratophyllaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: ceratophyllale

Wetlands: Occurs in wetlands

Communities: wetland-riparian

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS + POWO

Alternate Names:
JEF + PLANTSCeratophyllum apiculatum
PLANTSCeratophyllum demersum var. apiculatum
Information about  Ceratophyllum demersum from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (CEDE4)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Aquatic, Range, Aquarium Plant: Ceratophyllum demersum, commonly known as hornwort, rigid hornwort,[1] coontail, or coon's tail,[2] is a species of Ceratophyllum. It is a submerged, free-floating aquatic plant, with a cosmopolitan distribution, native to all continents except Antarctica. It is a harmful weed introduced in New Zealand.[2] It is also a popular aquarium plant. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2025. The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 03/28/2025).