Hydrilla Fact Sheet

HHEADINGEADING OFFOFF HHYDRILLAYDRILLA Another invasive species is heading towards the Great Lakes: Hydrilla verticillata onnative species are a great threat to the Great Because it is so invasive and pervasive, hydrilla Lakes region. So far, much focus has been greatly disrupts the ecological balance of all the areas Nplaced on sea lamprey, zebra mussels, alewife, where it grows. Large, dense hydrilla mats inhibit spiny water fleas, ruffe, goby, purple loosestrife and sunlight from penetrating the water and shade out native Eurasian watermilfoil. Soon, another species - Hydrilla plant species that live in the waters below them. Because verticillata – may join this list. hydrilla mats slow the movement of water, sediments Hydrilla is a robust aquatic plant that may survive build up where hydrilla thrives, decreasing the turbidity and thrive in waters of this area. As of December 2005, and creating good breeding grounds for mosquitoes. biologists have found no evidence of hydrilla in Michigan’s shallow Great Economic Impacts Lakes bays, 11,000 inland lakes or Hydrilla has serious economic thousands of miles of streams. effects resulting from the ecological However, the level of concern for impacts. As mentioned before, hydrilla ecological damage and economic harm can slow the movement of water, to Michigan’s water resources has disrupting the water supply, impeding increased due to the fact that hydrilla drainage and irrigation. This adds costs is now known to exist in two Great to the agricultural economy and also Lakes states, Pennsylvania and New negatively affects real estate values that York. are dependent upon attractive nearby waterways. Ecological Impacts Hydrilla also affects recreational Hydrilla has many adaptive qualities activities and the associated economy. that allow it to overpower and diminish It is likely to be a significant hinderance or even eradicate native species. It to recreation in Michigan waters. The can grow in areas of low light, as well dense mats inhibit boating, skiing, as fresh and brackish water. Hydrilla swimming, and other water-related can grow up to an inch per day and activities. Extensive stands of hydrilla thrives in standing and flowing water. Dave Webb, TVA provide poor habitat for diverse fish and It also absorbs carbon from the water more efficiently other wildlife populations. Anglers may find a decrease than other plants. Hydrilla is particularly threatening in the size and quantity of fish. because of its diverse reproductive abilities; it can Within three to four years of invading Maine, reproduce by seed, vegetative cutting, turions and Massachusetts and Connecticut, it was the dominant plant tubers. The tubers that grow on the roots are viable for in infested waters, creating serious recreational problems. many years. In an infested lake in Washington, hydrilla out-competed Eurasian watermilfoil, Michigan’s current most invasive exotic aquatic plant, to become the dominant plant. However, aggressive management programs in each of these states have prevented the infestations from spreading to other bodies of water. Hydrilla management is another major cost. States are spending millions of dollar to control the pest in their waterways. Hydrilla is difficult to control and can cost as much as $1,000 per acre to treat. Mechanical, cultural, herbicidal, and biological management practices each cost anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars to implement. Florida has spent more than $50 million trying to control the plant in public waters. In 1994-95 alone, they spent roughly $10 million managing the epidemic. The number increased to $17.5 million in 2003-04. It is estimated that hydrilla is now in 40 percent of Florida’s public waters. John Wedig, LRCA You can help by: rooted to the bottom of waterways, but it 1. Joining the hydrilla hunt (to find out how can also survive if fragments break loose to participate go to and free-float. It has long, slim stems that www.miseagrant.umich.edu/ans). branch out and can form a mat on the water 2. Making sure that you follow good surface covering areas as large as 100 acres invasive species prevention practices when or more. moving your watercraft or other water Each stem contains whorls of 3 – 10 recreation gear from one body of water to leaves that are approximately 1/8 inch wide another. More information can be found at and ¼ to 3/8 inch long. The edges of the www.protectyourwaters.net. leaves are serrated, giving them a toothed 3. Requesting that your guests, especially appearance. The leaf may feel rough those from infested states, do the same. because of little spines along the under side of the leaf. History and Origin of Hydrilla Hydrilla is often confused with other There are two forms of hydrilla: aquatic plants, it looks similar to monoecious (plants have both male and Michigan’s native species of Elodea female flowers) and dioecious (plants have canadensis (waterweed) and the nonnative either male or female flowers). Both forms plant, Brazilian elodea. Vic Ramey, University of Florida are found in the United States. DNA testing suggests the monoecious strain arrived California has taken an aggressive Hydrilla Elodea here from Korea. This is the form that approach to hydrilla enacting a law poses the greatest threat to the Great (Exotic) (Native) declaring the state’s goal to eradicate Lakes area. The monoecious form has hydrilla before it could become a made its home in several states in the widespread nuisance. This approach has New England region, including Maine, limited the number of infested water bodies and in California and Washington. to just 30 over the last 28 years, and the Monoecious and dioecious forms of plant has been eradicated from 2/3 of these. hydrilla now inhabit the waterways of The state will never be able to declare a. a. at least 19 states and its presence is victory, but it is limiting the spread and increasing to neighboring states. severity of the problem. a. Characteristics Preventative Steps Hydrilla is a rooted, submerged, a. Hydrilla is difficult to prevent and aquatic plant capable of growing in control. Because broken fragments of b. water depths up to 20 feet deep hydrilla can reproduce and thrive, complete b. where water clarity is good. Its c. removal of the plant is imperative to appearance can vary depending c. keeping it under control. Viable hydrilla on the conditions under which a. 4 or 5 leaves at each node a. Only 3 leaves at each node fragments make harvesting the plant with it is growing. Generally, it is b. Leaves have visible teeth b. Leaves edges appear smooth large mechanical harvesters difficult. c. Leaf vein has small spines c. Leaf vein is smooth underneath States’ prevention plans for the spread of For more information on hydrilla are currently based on several hydrilla or other invasive species check out the following websites: concepts. · Keeping hydrilla out through www.miseagrant.umich.edu/ans information, education, monitoring and http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu control of infected water bodies. http://nas.er.usgs.gov/plants/docs/hy_verti.html · Controlling hydrilla populations while they are still small by harvesting with divers. Michigan Department of Environmental Quality · Controlling large infestations of Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor hydrilla with herbicides or biological Steven E. Chester, Director control agents. Some herbicides are Funding for this publication was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. reasonably selective for hydrilla but must Hydrilla and Elodea drawings by Howard Wandell, Michigan State University Extension still be used with extreme care to minimize The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will not discriminate against the impact upon native plants and the any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital ecosystem. status, disability or political beliefs. Questions or concerns should be directed to the MDEQ Michigan is trying to prevent hydrilla Office of Personnel Services, P.O. Box 30473, Lansing, MI 48909. from invading our water resources and harming our economy and ecosystems. Printed by authority of P.A. 451 of 1994 Total number of copies printed: 1000 Total Cost:$ 110.42 Cost per copy: $ .110 Michigan Department of Environmental Quality .

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