Invasive Weeds

All about Invasive Weeds

Scientific Name: Alternanthera philaxeroides

Common Name: Alligatorweed

Description: Emergent shoreline plant, aggressive, mat-forming perennial

Reproduction: Spreads from seed or plant fragments

Problems Caused: can impede navigation and displace native vegetation

Scientific Name: Myriophyllum spicatum

Common Name: Eurasian Watermilfoil

Description: Submerged, stems and red when actively growing

Reproduction: Spreads by seeds, fragments and stolens

Problems Caused: Can impede navigation and shade out native vegetation

Scientific Name: Slavinia molesta

Common Name: Giant Salvinia

Description: Free floating aquatic fern, forms dense mats, root hairs on the leaves resemble "egg beaters" structure. Known to grow 3 feet above the surface of the lake.

Reproduction: Spreads rapidly by buds

Problems Caused: reduces oxygen exchange and negatively effects water quality and habitat. Once established it is almost impossible to eradicate.

Scientific Name: Hydrilla verticuillata

Common Name: Hydrilla

Description: submerged perennial aquatic plant, used mainly for aquarium habitats.

Reproduction: Spreads through tubers, turions, stolons, and fragments. NO SEEDS

Problems Caused: Shades out desirable native vegetation, impedes navigation, and can also grow more than one inch a day.

Scientific Name: Lythrum salicaria

Common Name: Purple Loosestrife

Description: invasive wetland plant, added to wetlands for color.

Reproduction: each plant can produce 2-3 million seeds

Problems Caused: Clogs irrigation canals, causes problems in all 50 states except Florida, replaces native vegetation.

Scientific Name: Eichhornia crassipes

Common Name: Water Hyacinth

Description: "worlds worst weed", one of the fastest growing plants known.

Reproduction: daughter plans and forms thousands of seeds

Problems Caused: uptakes nutrients in the water and releases H ions which acidify the water, and dense mats reduce oxygen levels and block waterways.


Scientific Name: Pistia stratiotes
Common Name: Water Lettuce
Description: looks like lettuce, rosette of grey-green leaves.
Reproduction: daughter plants
Problems Caused: large mats than affect habitat and impede navigation

PREVENTION FOR ALL INVASIVE WEEDS

1. NEVER put aquarium plants in lakes, rivers or wetlands.

2. Please check boat trailers and props when leaving a lake.

3. Don't transport harmful aquatic plants.