Brazilian Elodea
Egeria densa

University of Florida

Brazilian Elodea is an aggressive, non-native aquatic vegetation.   It is a submerged perennial plant which is native to South America. This plant grows both rooted to the bottom and free floating in the water. It is expected that it was originally introduced in North America through the aquarium trade. Elodea forms dense surface mats. It generally takes over the native plants. This plant grows in water as deep as 20 feet.

Stems: The stems are bright green. There are often numerous branches from each stem.

Leaves: The leaves are straplike and about 1 inch long. They usually have 4 whorls with 4-6 small leaves.

Flowers: Flowers are about ¾" across with 3 white spreading petals.

Reproduction: This plant reproduces by fragmentation.

Often Confused with: Hydrilla

Brazilian Elodea has been identified in several locations at Smith Mountain Lake.

Treatment of this aggressive, non-native vegetation is often included as a part of TLAC's treatment contract.

Please contact us at 721-4400 if you observe a plant which appears to be Brazilian Elodea.

Links to other sites with information about Brazilian Elodea:
 http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/egdepic.html

Brittle Naiad
Najas minor

Brittle Naiad is a nuisance, non-native aquatic vegetation. It is a submersed annual aquatic plant which was introduced into the United States from Europe. This plant grows in mixed stands with other non-native aquatic species or by itself, taking over the native plants. It can form dense shoals and surface mats in the water and is readily spread by boat traffic and water movements. Waterfowl often eat the seeds.

Stems: The branched stems of Brittle Naiad grow to 4 feet or more in length.

Leaves: The leaves are opposite and linear and are usually 1 - 1 ½ inches long with 6 - 15 marginal teeth on each side of the leaf.

Reproduction: Reproduction is by fragmentation and seed production. The plants are brittle and easily break into fragments when disturbed. Each fragment can take root and produce another plant.

Flowers: Flowers are very small and inconspicuous and are produced separately in the leaf axils.

Brittle Naiad has been identified in many locations at Smith Mountain Lake.

Additional information about brittle naiad is available at the following links:
http://www.weedscience.ncsu.edu/aquaticweeds/facts/apfs006-99.pdf
http://aquaplant.tamu.edu

Curly Leaf Pondweed is an aggressive, non-native aquatic vegetation. It is a submersed perennial plant which was introduced into the United States from Europe. This plant grows in mixed stands with other non-native aquatic plants, or by itself, taking over the native plants. It can form dense canopies on the water surface which may impede watercraft and limit swimming. This pondweed can grow in low light and low water temperatures. The stems of this plant tend to reach the water's surface well before any of the other vegetative species. This plant grows in water as deep as 15 feet.

Stems: The stems are zigzagged, with alternate leaves and generally grow 1 - 3 feet in length. They become more dense toward the end of each branch.

Leaves: The leaves are somewhat stiff and approximately ½ inch wide and 2-3 inches long. The leaves are often reddish-green and have finely toothed margins.

Flowers: Flowers are small, somewhat inconspicuous, and arranged in a dense spike.

Reproduction: This plant reproduces by turions (seed-like growths).

Often Confused with: Clasping-leaf Pondweed, a native aquatic plant

Curly leaf pondweed has been identified in many locations at Smith Mountain Lake.

Treatment of this aggressive, non-native vegetation is often included as a part of TLAC's treatment contract. Please contact us if you observe a plant which appears to be curly leaf pondweed in SML.

Links to other sites with information about Curly Leaf Pondweed:
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/potcri.html

Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla is an aggressive, non-native aquatic vegetation.  Hydrilla has been categorized as one of the world's worst weeds, and it is certainly among the most notorious of submerged aquatic plant species. Infestations of Hydrilla are extremely severe and can completely choke entire lakes and public water supplies. 

Hydrilla is mainly introduced to new waters as castaway fragments on recreational boats, their motors and trailers.

The spread of Hydrilla from one body of water to another can be greatly reduced if boaters remove all aquatic weeds from boats, trailers and fishing gear before leaving lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Fragments can get caught underneath boats and spread the weed from one location to another.

Please contact TLAC at 721-4400 if you observe a plant suspected of being Hydrilla.

Link to another site with information about Hydrilla.
www.weedscience.ncsu.edu/aquaticweeds