any of several aquatic plants of the genus Elodea of the family Hydrocharidaceae that are native to both North and South America and which have grasslike leaves
elodea in American English
(iˈloʊdiə; ɪˈloʊdiə; ˌ ɛləˈdiə)
noun
any of a genus (Elodea) of submerged water plants of the frog's-bit family, with whorls of short, grasslike leaves: often used in aquariums because it releases large amounts of oxygen
Word origin
ModL < Gr helōdēs, swampy < helos, a swamp < IE base *selos- < Sans sáras-, a lake, pool