Aquatic Invasive Species Resource Education Series 2011

Native or Invasive? Native and Invasive Aquatic Plants of the Eastern Lake Ontario Region

Invasive aquatic plants can interfere with recreation and diminish wildlife and fish habitat. Knowing some of the common plants that are native to our waters may help you spot invasive plants before they grow out of control. Read on for a sampling of our native aquatic plants, as well as some invasives to recognize.

Right: Wetland at Black Pond Wildlife Management Area, Jefferson County, NY. Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant

Native and invasive plants with leaves that float upon the surface of the water White water lily Water chestnut Nymphaea odorata Trapa natans

Native plant Invasive plant Flowers: Large, white, Triangular toothed leaves many-petaled in floating “rosettes” Round “lily pad” leaves, Seeds (nutlets) with four 6-8 inches across sharp prongs Forms dense mats

Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant

Yellow pond lily European frogbit Nuphar lutea Hydrocharis morsus-ranae

Native plant Invasive plant Yellow, bulbous flowers Small round leaves, less rise above the water than 2 inches across Shield-shaped leaves, up Flowers: Small, white, to 16 inches long three-petaled Forms dense mats

Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant Native and Invasive Aquatic Plants of the Eastern Lake Ontario Region

Native and invasive plants that grow mostly beneath the water’s surface Coon’s tail Eurasian watermilfoil Ceratophyllum demersum Myriophyllum spicatum Native plant Invasive plant Branched, bristle-like Feather-like leaves leaves 3-6 leaves arranged in Provides cover for fish whorls around stem Eaten by some waterfowl Forms dense mats that interfere with boating

Drawing: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Drawing: USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Pos- An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Pos- sessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 75. sessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York. Vol. 2: 614.

Native and invasive plants that grow in shallow slow waters, along the shore, or in moist wetland soils Broadleaf cattail Common reed Typha latifolia Phragmites australis

Native plant Invasive plant Common in wetlands Tall grass with feathery seed heads Important habitat for Forms dense single- muskrats, waterfowl species stands and other birds, amphibians Displaces native wetland plants

Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant

Pickerelweed Purple loosestrife Pontederia cordata Lythrum salicaria

Native plant Invasive plant Spikes of deep blue Square stem; spikes of flowers pink-purple flowers Lance-shaped leaves, up Displaces native wetland to 10 inches long plants Seeds consumed by Little wildlife value waterfowl

Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant Photo: Greg Chapman, New York Sea Grant

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! NYSG Aquatic Invasive Species Clearinghouse: For More Information: www.ProtectYourWaters.net http://nyis.info/ai/