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Spineless Hornwort

Ceratophyllum echinatum

Found in ponds, pools, slow-moving streams. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

13
Modest

Native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 88%

Height
6 inches–3 feet 4 inches
Light
Partial shade, Full sun
Soil moisture
Standing water
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Bloom
May to September

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 10 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Ponds, lakes and their shores

Georgia pond and emergent wetland
Regional / representative. Shown: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Georgia; representative pond ecosystem, a neighboring state.Georgia pond and emergent wetland, Robert 'Bob' Hynes, 1997. Public domain. Source record.

Streams, rivers and their banks

Flowing water and its banks, bars and rocky shoals.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
9BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Ceratophyllum

  • Agelaius phoeniceusRed-winged Blackbird
  • Anas platyrhynchosMallard
  • Aythya affinisLesser Scaup
  • Aythya collarisRing-necked Duck
  • Cygnus olorMute Swan
  • Fulica americanaAmerican Coot
  • Gallinula galeataCommon Gallinule
  • Mareca streperaGadwall
  • Spatula clypeataNorthern Shoveler
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Ceratophyllaceae
Flower color
Red or yellow

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNR
Global rankG4
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

Will it fit your yard?

Check this plant against your county, sun and soil moisture. Conditions are checked in your browser.

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How to check your spot

Sources