Common Name(s): | Hydrilla |
Scientific Name: | Hydrilla verticillata |
Family: | Hydrophyllaceae |
Growth Traits: | Introduced, perennial, warm season |
Description: A rooted, introduced plant that can grow as much as 28 feet above the bottom. It has whorls of two to eight leaves, mostly less than 1 inch long, which have serrated margins and teeth beneath on the midvein. Hydrilla is a very problematic plant in many bodies of water because of its ability to completely dominate. It most likely is spread between bodies of water by boats and boat trailers. Hydrilla provides good habitat for invertebrates, which are eaten by fish and waterfowl, and its turions (shoots) and tubers are eaten by waterfowl as well. However, due to its ability to dominate a body of water, it is considered an undesirable plant. |
Chemical Control Options: Copper with diquat, fluridone, penoxsulam, bispyribac, endothall, diquat, imazamox or flumioxazin. Fertilizing a pond to produce a phytoplankton bloom or using an aquatic dye prevents sunlight from reaching the plant and limits growth. |
Mechanical Control Options: Physically removing hydrilla is only temporarily effective due to its ability to come back from roots or remaining fragments in the water. |
Biological Control Options: Grass carp effectively control it. |