The leaves partially surround the stem, they are densely spaced, lance shaped and have wavy or crinkled margins that often curve backwards. They have distinct veins and can be 2-13 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. Often mistaken for curly-leaf pondweed. Concern: Can form dense mats interfering with boating and fishing activities. Also, can block…
This is a free-floating plant that has no roots and has flowers on erect stems above the water. The plant is about 8 inches tall with yellowish flowers that have 3-lobes and a spur underneath. There are no true leaves on this plant. There are leaf branches called petioles that are fleshy and inflated with…
There are both floating and submerged leaves. The floating leaves are elliptical to oval and are 4-7 inches long and up to 2 inches wide. The submerged leaves are blade like, somewhat transparent and smaller than the floating leaves. The stem is rust colored and branched in threes. Concern: Can form dense mats and block…
The leaves are glossy and heart shaped with long, air-filled stocks and firm blades. The leaf-blades have fine parallel veins. The leaves and flowers are above the water level and can reach 3.5 feet in height. The flower is a violet-blue color and lasts only a day. Concern: When they grow out of control it…
Leaves are flat to slightly rounded and can grow from 5-10 feet tall. They are a pale grayish-green in color. The stem reaches 5-10 feet tall, that is larger in the middle and smaller near the flower structure. Flowers are a dense dark brown, cigar-shape at the end of the spikes. Concern: Cattails reproduce rapidly…
There are several species of bulrush. They can grow up to 10 feet tall in shallow water or moist soil. The color can vary from light gray-green to dark olive green. There are no obvious leaves on the stems. They grow sheaths at the base of the stem. Concern: When they grow out of control…
Leaves are shaped like an arrowhead. They grow in clusters from the base and can be from less than a foot tall to over 4 feet tall. It may have some elliptical emergent leaves and sometimes will also have ribbon, or tongue-like submersed leaves. It has underground rootstocks with tubers and may have tiny white…
This is microscopic algae that float in the water column, that grow very quickly. A bloom of the algae causes the water to become colored and can look green, blue, or reddish. Severe blooms often resemble pea soup or you may see a paint-like scum on shorelines. Concern: Planktonic algae is good for water bodies…
This is commonly referred to as “pond scum”. It has a thread like appearance and often forms surface mats. Growth begins at the bottom of shallow water or on structures in the water and rises to the surface as oxygen becomes trapped by the filaments. Concern: Algae blooms have been a major factor in fish…
This is an advanced form of algae often mistaken as a submerged flowering plant. It is often called muskgrass or skunkweed because of its foul odor. It is a gray-green color, has no flowers and will not extend above the water surface. It has a grainy or crunchy texture and cylindrical whorled branches with 6-16…