AbstractSeasonal content of total soluble carbohydrate, total soluble protein, free fatty acids and alkaloids were examined in a population ofCeratophyllum demersumgrowing in a pond on the southwestern edge of the Canadian Shield. Total soluble carbohydrate and total soluble protein were inversely correlated. Free fatty acids were dominated by (16:0 + 16:1), 18:2 and 18:3. Relative proportions of the different free fatty acids remained roughly constant throughout the season. Alkaloid concentrations showed large fluctuations, with the highest values found during the first half of the season. Carbohydrate and protein contents of associated periphyton were not correlated with host macrophyte metabolism.