Invasive Species List/Aquatic Plants

This page contains information on aquatic plant species on the Invasive Species List. For more general information about the event, see Invasive Species.

Aquatic Plants

Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

• Taxonomy:Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Core eudicots; Order-Caryophyllales; Family-Amaranthaceae; Genus-Alternanthera; Species-A. philoxeroides

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves: Opposite; no petiole; elliptically shaped

• Flowers: Flower spike; no petals; five white or colorless sepals; white; cloverlike;

• Fruit:

• Seeds: One seed per flower

• Misc/General: Hollow stems;

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when: Ballast water; Alabama, 1987;

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat): Southeastern US, California

• Characteristics of new habitat: Damp soil in shallow standing water;

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem): Dense mats crowd out native species; impede recreational activities like boating, swimming, fishing;

Brazilian Waterweed (Egeria densa)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; Order-Alismatales; Family-Hydrocharitaceae; Genus-Egeria; Species-E. dense

Identification Tips: Bright green; bushy;

Anatomy:

• Leaves: Bright green; four leaves per whorl;

• Flowers: Three petaled; white flowers;

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when: Aquarium trade; Long Island, 1893;

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness: Cleaning boats when exiting water;

• Damage (why it’s a problem): Crowds out native species; dense mats impede recreation

Caulerpa, Mediterranean Clone (Caulerpa taxifolia)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Protista; Division-Chlorophyta; Class-Bryopsidophyceae; Order-Bryopsidales; Family-Caulerpaceae; Genus-Caulerpa; Species-C. taxifolia

Identification Tips:

Anatomy: Feathery branches; rubbery;

• Leaves: Small;

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when: Through the aquarium trade; 2000;

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem): Crowds out native species; toxic (but not to humans);

Common Reed (Phragmites australis)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Subfamily-Arundinoideae; Tribe-Arundineae; Genus-Phragmites; Species-P. australis

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves: Elongate

• Flowers: Bushy; purple or golden;

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when: Ballast water; 18th or 19th century;

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness: Glyphosate; fire;

• Damage (why it’s a problem): Crowds out native plants; blocks out light;

Curly Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; Order-Alismatales; Family-Potamogetonaceae; Genus-Potamogeton; Species-P. crisps

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves: Undulating; finely serrated; oblong; blue-green;

• Flowers: Arranged on dense terminal spikes that rise a few inches above the surface of the water

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General: Good waterfowl vegetation; turions bear appearance of small green/brown pinecones;

• Adaptive anatomy: Strong rhizome anchoring system

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when: Introduced in US waters by hobbyists in mid 1800s;

• How spread:

Life Cycle: Generally first pondweed to emerge in spring, dies in mid-summer; actively grows in winter

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem): Dense mats interfere with recreation; reduces oxygen levels

Rock Snot (Didymosphenia geminata)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Chromalveolata; Phylum-Heterokontophyta; Class-Bacillariophyceae; Order-Cymbellales; Family-Gomphonemataceae; Genus-Didymosphenia; Species-D. geminata

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Core eudicots; Order-Saxifragales; Family-Haloragaceae; Genus-Myriophyllum; Species-M. spicatum

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Poales; Family-Poaceae; Subfamily-Arundinoideae; Tribe-Arundineae; Genus-Arundo; Species-A. donax

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; Division-Pteridophyta; Class-Polypodiopsida / Pteridopsida (disputed); Order-Salviniales; Family-Salviniaceae; Genus-Salvinia; Species-S. molesta

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Monocots; Class-Liliopsida; Order-Alismatales; Family-Hydrocharitaceae; Genus-Hydrilla; Species-H. verticillata

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Rosids; Order-Myrtales; Family-Myrtaceae; Genus-Melaleuca; Species-M. quinquenervia

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; Order-Myrtales; Family-Lythraceae; Genus-Lythrum; Species-L. salicaria

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Monocots; (Unranked)-Commelinids; Order-Commelinales; Family-Pontederiaceae; Genus-Eichhornia; Species-E. crassipes

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Monocots; Order-Alismatales; Family-Araceae; Subfamily-Aroideae; Tribe-Pistieae; Genus-Pistia; Species-P. stratiotes

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):

Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)

• Taxonomy: Kingdom-Plantae; (Unranked)-Angiosperms; (Unranked)-Eudicots; (Unranked)-Asterids; Order-Solanales; Family-Convolvulaceae; Genus-Ipomoea; Species-I. aquatica

Identification Tips:

Anatomy:

• Leaves:

• Flowers:

• Fruit:

• Seeds:

• Misc/General:

• Adaptive anatomy:

Introduction:

• How introduced: Where/when:

• How spread:

Life Cycle:

• Seed:

• Adult

Reproduction:

• General Reproduction:

• What makes it so good at reproducing?:

Ecology:

• Behavior:

• Niche:

• Trophic Level:

Native habitat:

• Characteristics of said habitat:

Where it’s a problem (“new” habitat):

• Characteristics of new habitat:

Preventative measures:

• Laws and effectiveness:

• Control measures and effectiveness:

• Damage (why it’s a problem):