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Title: Aquatic Flowering Plants, with a Review of the Potamogetonaceae
Scheduling Details: August 2–8, 2026
Description: This seminar will focus on the identification, biology, reproduction, structure, invasiveness, and ecology of submersed and floating aquatic flowering plants, especially those of the Potamogetonaceae. The Potamogetonaceae of North America and New England represents one of the largest truly aquatic plant families. New England and northeastern North America have the greatest number and diversity of species in the family. This seminar will be especially valuable to consulting botanists, state heritage employees, and those interested in lake monitoring. Field trips will be taken to lakes, ponds, and streams in eastern and northern Maine to collect and observe species found in the pristine waters of the easternmost counties in the US. Discussions, lectures, and lab work will supplement field work. Invasive aquatic plants of the northeast will be discussed in detail and methods of their control will be reviewed. While in the field submersed and floating-leaved species will be reviewed. Herbarium and live material will be available for study.
Dr. C. Barre Hellquist (c.barre....@mcla.mass.edu) is professor emeritus of biology at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is co-author of the “Aquatic Plants of New England” series and the second edition of “Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Northeastern North America.” He is also co-author of portions of the “Flora of North America” (Nuphar and Alismatidae).. Currently work is on the systematics of Nymphaea (especially those of Australia), the aquatic flora of New Mexico, and the aquatic flora of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with his son, Eric. He co-authored the Alismatidae for the Flora of China and the Jepson Manual of California. He has taught courses on aquatic plants at the University of Michigan and University of Oklahoma Biological Stations and lectures on the rare aquatic plants and invasive aquatics of the northeast.
John McPhredran (john.mc...@maine.gov) has worked on Maine lakes since 1990, first on lake water quality and watershed management in a 28-lake watershed in central Maine. A colleague’s comment about the world of aquatic plants piqued his interest and he took Barre Hellquist’s course at Eagle Hill in 1994, followed by a graduate degree in botany. When the Maine Legislature passed a bill by one vote in 2000 to establish an aquatic invasive species program, John became the first staff in Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program, a position he still holds. DEP’s program is funded by users of motorized watercraft on inland waters and focuses on aquatic invasive plants. John oversees statewide efforts to prevent spread of, monitor for and manage invasive aquatic species with three other staff members.
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