Texas Aquatic Management Society Beneficial P.O. Box 68 Fannin, Texas 77960 Native Aquatic of Texas

Native Aquatic plants are a beneficial component of reservoir and stream ecosystems. They provide structure and improve habitat for fish and other organisms, increase water quality and clarity, stabi- lize sediments and protect shorelines from erosion. Some of the common native aquatic plants in Texas are shown below.

SOUTHERN NAIAD MUSKGRASS (Najas guadalupensis (Chara Linnaeus) TAPEGRASS, WILD CELERY (Sprengel) Magnus) A macroalgae, muskgrass is con- (Vallisneria americana Michaux) A submersed annual aquatic sidered a pioneer species, forming This submersed is found in plant, southern naiad is a extensive underwater mats simi- rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. slender, narrow-leaved plant. lar to vascular plants. The grey- Ribbon-like basal can grow to Tolerant of many kinds of green stems provide habitat in several feet long from a single rosette. aquatic systems, southern na- ponds and lakes and have a Dioecious staminate are found iad generally grows in shallow distinctive odor, hence the com- at the rosette while the pistillate littoral zones. Leaves are mon name. The stiff, thin leaves flowers grow to the surface on spiral opposite and thin, generally are whorled around a long, slender stalks where pollination occurs. After less than an inch in length, stem, staying low in the water pollination, the fruit ripens and growing on long slender stems. column. Reproduction occurs produces abundant viable . The flowers are small, yet through the orange oogonia which produce many viable seeds. are barely visible on the upper leaves. COONTAIL (Ceratophyllum demersum L.) This annual submersed aquatic plant is common to quiet streams, PONDWEED WATER STARGRASS ponds, lakes and reservoirs. (Potamogeton sp. Poiret.) (Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) Small) Generally rootless, mats of A floating-leaved perennial with A submersed annual, water stargrass coontail can be found free stems that elongate from the can grow efficiently in a variety of floating . The leaves are in stembase, producing floating and habitats, water depths and sediment whorls of 5-12, branched, up to submersed leaves. Submersed leaves types. Overwintering by 3/4 inch long and can be are alternate, broad-leafed but provides an important food item for abrasive to the touch. The tapering, while the floating leaves waterfowl and habitat for fisheries. A entangled stems can reach are shiny, dark green, and oblong. (Stutzenbaker) slender, multi-branched stem grows several feet in length. Fruiting spikes are produced singu- from the buried rhizome. Alternate larly in the axils. leaves and a rounded stem can help distinguish from flat-stem pondweed. PICKERELWEED Distinctive yellow, star-shaped flowers (Pontederia cordata L.) AMERICAN LOTUS provides basis for it’s common name. An emergent, perennial shoreline ( lutea (Willd.) Pers) plant with heart to lanceolate ARROWHEAD (Sagittaria spp.) A perennial aquatic plant, Ameri- shaped leaves and erect, showy Perennial, generally emergent plants can lotus grows from purple flowers from a single growing from a rhizome with large and seeds. Lotus leaves are rosette. Pickerelweed grows from leaves. shape can vary from large, circular, peltate, either rhizomes as well as seeds. blade to the broad lancelot form. floating or emergent. The flow- Prefers shallow and slow or Some underwater rosettes of leaves ers are extremely large, showy, nonmoving waters. can be produced. White prominent yellow in color and fragrant. flowers are produced in whorls of Seeds produced are viable and three and can be produced through- valuable as waterfowl food. BULRUSH (Scirpus validus Vahl.) out the growing season. Arrowheads Generally found in slow to One of the most valuable food generate underground corms or nonmoving waters. sources for waterfowl and mam- tubers which are highly desirable by mals. A shoreline plant that waterfowl. WHITE WATER LILY grows in clusters, up to several (Nymphaea odorata Aiton) feet in height. Rounded, spongy These perennial aquatic plants SPATTERDOCK stems taper at the top with a tuft produce large leaves and flow- (Nuphar luteum (Small) E.O. Beal) of dangling flowers on spikelets ers from rhizomes. Leaves of A perennial, emergent aquatic which produces numerous viable white water lily are circular and plant which produces large heart- small seeds. Provides excellent v-notched. Leaves are floating shaped leaves. The flowers are shoreline stabilization and spreads and generally reddish on the small and yellow, partially opened, by underground rhizomes. underside. The flowers are producing a viable . Spatter- showy white, fragrant and in dock can be found in slow to non- high demand by the aquatic moving water, up to 5 feet in depth. Aquatic plant illustrations nursery industry. These aquatic provided by the Information Office of the University of plants are generally found in , IFAS, Center for slow or nonmoving shallow wa- Aquatic Plants (Gainesville) ters. For more information call Texas Aquatic Management society representatives at 972-436-2215 Texas Aquatic Plant Management Society Harmful P.O. Box 68 Fannin, Texas 77960 Non-native Aquatic Weeds in Texas Aquatic weeds that have been introduced from other parts of the world into Texas waters can create serious environmental, economic, and public health problems. Because of their growth habits and their lack of natural controls, they often create extensive mats of vegetation which block light and gas exchange, degrade aquatic habitat, crowd out native plant populations, and impede human uses.

HYDRILLA- Southeast Asia WATERHYACINTH - South America (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle) (Eichhornia crassipes (Martius) Solms-Laub.) This submersed perennial aquatic plant was This floating plant has been called “the world’s worst introduced into the United States in the 1960’s and weed”, introduced into water gardens because of has since spread to 13 states, including Texas. beautiful purple flowers. Waterhyacinth produces Hydrilla is characterized by oblong whorled leaves long free-floating dark roots which uptake all required (5) with serrated edges at each node. Long stems nutrients and release hydrogen ions, acidifying branch as the plant elongates rapidly to the surrounding waters. Numerous broad inflated leafs surface, forming a dense canopy. Due to these extend from the stalk, ranging in height from a few growth strategies, hydrilla can shade out desirable inches to several feet. Although waterhyacinth can native vegetation, impede navigation, affect water produce many viable seeds, the main reproductive quality and habitat. In addition, hydrilla can method is by daughter plants. These interconnected reproduce sexually (seed) and asexually with parent to daughter plants form the dense floating mat tubers, turions, stolons and fragments. which can reduce dissolved oxygen levels and effectively block waterways. EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL - Europe/Asia ( spicatum L.) GIANT SALVINIA- South America This submersed perennial aquatic plant can be (Salvinia molesta) found in 45 states. Stems are long and flexible, This free-floating aquatic fern is generally red when actively growing, with whorled larger than the common salvinia, with leaves (4) around each node. The leaves are can be oblong floating leaves ½ to 1 ½ inch in more concentrated closer to the surface, with 14+ length. Leaves frequently fold and leaflets per leaf, appearing featherlike. The compress into chains, with white slender flowering stem has the staminate upper bristles found on the leaf surface. and pistillate positioned lower, producing many Underwater stalks contain attached viable seeds per plant. Can reproduce asexually by spore cases. Giant salvinia forms stolons and fragmentation, especially dense mats, spreading rapidly by buds. autofragmentation. Through formation of a These floating mats reduce oxygen dense canopy, Eurasian watermilfoil can shade out exchange and can negatively effect native vegetation, impede navigation, affect water quality and habitat. water quality and habitat. ALLIGATORWEED-South America WATERLETTUCE - South America (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Martius) Grisebach (Pistia stratiotes L.) Aggressive, mat-forming perennial, emergent A free-floating perennial plant forms a rosette shoreline plant found in habitats ranging from dry of grey-green leaves about 4 to 8 inches long with to wetland, lake shore and riverine. Spread can long roots extended into the surrounding waters. occur from seed or plant fragments. Leaves are Intolerant of cold temperatures, waterlettuce is opposite, generally lanceolate and about 4 inches limited to the more sub-tropical regions in Texas. long. Small, white flowers are produced on short Reproduction is generally asexually through spikelets, flowering throughout the growing season. production of daughter plants, forming large Dense mat growth can impede navigation and dense mats of free-floating plants. These mats displace native vegetation. can affect habitat and transportation.

It is illegal to import, sell, purchase, transport, propagate, Please check boat trailers possess, or release into public and props when leaving a waters any of these harmful lake. Don’t transport exotic aquatic plants. harmful aquatic plants! (Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.)

For more information call Texas Aquatic Management society representatives at 972-436-2215