What is the habitat of hydrilla?
Habitat. Can grow in oligotrophic (low nutrient) to eutrophic (high nutrient) conditions. Can grow in 7% salinity of seawater (Haller 1974). Temperature tolerance: hydrilla is somewhat winter-hardy; its optimum growth temperature, 20-27 o C (68-81 o F); its maximum temperature, 30 o C (86 o F) (Kasselmann 1995).
What is Hydrilla?
Hydrilla ( waterthyme) is a genus of aquatic plant, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species.
Where did Hydrilla verticillata come from?
Native to: India (Hydrilla verticillata’s dioecious type originates from southern India. Hydrilla’s monoecious type is probably from Korea) Hydrilla was introduced into Florida water bodies in 1950-1951. It was thought to have been introduced to the Tampa and Miami areas as an aquarium plant.
How many species of hydrilla are there?
Origin There is only one species of Hydrilla in the world. Hydrilla verticillata’s dioecious type (plants having female flowers only) originates from southern India. Hydrilla’s monoecious type (plants having male and female flowers on the same plant) is probably from Korea.
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Where is hydrilla most commonly found?
Hydrilla verticillata can be found on all continents except Antarctica and South America. Hydrilla is most common in Middle Eastern countries, southeast Asia, northern and eastern Australia, and the Indian subcontinent. Although it is found in temperate areas, it is most widespread in tropical regions.
Where is the hydrilla now?
More than half a century after careless disposal into Florida's waterways, hydrilla can now be found throughout the south and along the east coast, with populations extending inland to the Great Lakes region. Isolated communities have also been found in Idaho and Washington.
Is hydrilla in the water?
Hydrilla is an invasive non-native submerged plant with long slender stems that branch out profusely when they reach the water surface. Hydrilla can grow an inch a day and 50% of the standing crop occurs in the top 0.5 m of the water column.
Does hydrilla live in saltwater?
It can grow in water up to about 7% the salinity of seawater (Haller et al. 1974) or higher (Steward and Van 1987); and it tolerates a wide range of pH, but tends to grow better at pH 7 (Steward 1991). Hydrilla is adapted to use low light levels for photosynthesis (Van et al.
What is Hydrilla used for?
Hydrilla is especially valuable to true vegetarians. Besides its other uses, therapeutically this plant may be used to provide complete nutrition, to improve digestion and gastrointestinal function, circulation, neurological health, blood sugar control, to strengthen immunity and increase endurance.
Is Hydrilla harmful to humans?
Hydrilla can also cause algae blooms, leading to even more depleted oxygen levels. While the mechanisms are still not well understood, blue-green algae grows densely on hydrilla creating algae blooms that are toxic to animals and people.
What is hydrilla in a lake?
Hydrilla is an invasive lake weed This means that it has long stems that grow to the top of the water and form tangles on the surface of the water. No body of water is immune to Hydrilla; it's found in many types of ponds, marshes, rivers, and lakes. To identify Hydrilla, look to the plant's leaves.
Which plant is hydrilla?
hydrilla, (Hydrilla verticillata), submerged aquatic plant that is the sole member of the genus Hydrilla in the frog's-bit family (Hydrocharitaceae). Hydrilla is possibly native to Africa or Europe but has naturalized in lakes and streams around the world.
Where do we find hydrilla and lotus plants?
Hydrilla is present at the water surface but lotus is present under water. Hydrilla is present under water but lotus is present on the water surface.
Can Hydrilla grow without soil?
Hydrilla is an obligate aquatic plant that usually is attached to the bottom of the body of water. Fragments may break off and continue to live in a free-floating state. It can grow very rapidly (up to 2.5 cm per day) to reach the water surface.
What is another name for Hydrilla?
Weeds Australia - Hydrilla verticillata.
How do Hydrilla plant grow?
Hydrilla reproduces through turions which are bud-like structures. These turions are formed on the leaf-axile. Also, tubers are produced along the rhizome/stolen. Stem fragmentation is also seen as a mode of reproduction.
Videos
Google. YouTube; University of Florida. IFAS. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Selected Resources
The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Hydrilla.
Where is Hydrilla found?
It was found spreading after extensive 2,4-D use in Tennessee Valley Authority reservoirs and Lake Seminole, Georgia, once heavily populated with Eurasian water-milfoil ( Myriophyllum spicatum) (Bates and Smith 1994).
Does hydrilla displace native species?
Hydrilla does not necessarily displace native species and may be beneficial to wildlife (Rybicki and Carter 2002; Rybicki and Landwehr 2007). Hydrilla has been shown to alter the physical and chemical characteristics of lakes.
Where can I find hydrillas in Florida?
Hydrilla can grow to the surface of waters as deep as 25ft and form dense mats and can still be found in all types of water bodies.
Where did the Hydrilla verticillata originate?
Native to: India ( Hydrilla verticillata’s dioecious type originates from southern India. Hydrilla’s monoecious type is probably from Korea) Hydrilla was introduced into Florida water bodies in 1950-1951. It was thought to have been introduced to the Tampa and Miami areas as an aquarium plant. By the 1970s, it was established ...
What plants are shaded by hydrilla mats?
Therefore, when hydrilla invades water bodies, ecologically-important native submersed plants such as pondweeds ( Potamogeton spp.), tapegrass ( Vallisneria americana) and coontail ( Ceratophyllum demersum) are shaded out by hydrilla’s thick mats, or are simply outcompeted and eliminated. Each year in Florida, millions of dollars are spent on ...
How to prevent hydrilla introduction?
Avoid introducing hydrilla into water bodies. Use best practices to prevent introduction by cleaning boat trailers, propellors, diver gear and live bait wells. Transporting plant fragments on boats, trailers, and in livewells is the main source of introduction into new lakes and rivers.
What is the best way to remove hydrilla from the water?
Mechanical. Mechanical harvestors can be used to remove hydrilla from the water and transport it to shore for disposal. One drawback in the use of mechanical harvesters is that cuttings of hydrilla, which are not removed from the water, help to spread this weed. Biological.
How many insects are there in the hydrilla?
Currently, four insects and one fish have been released to control hydrilla, but only two of these insects are established, and only one is commonly associated with hydrilla in the southeastern U.S. Click here to learn more. Several registered aquatic herbicides provide temporary control of hydrilla.
How to get rid of hydrilla in lake?
In some cases, lake drawdowns may help manage hydrilla by letting the exposed plants die and decompose. Mechanical harvestors can be used to remove hydrilla from the water and transport it to shore for disposal.
California
Florida
- Hydrilla was first found in Florida in 1960 in the Snapper Creek Canal in South Miami, but it would be five more years until it was identified. More info here.
Idaho
- Hydrilla was identified in the Bruneau River near Bruneau, ID in December 2007. Surveys found an infestation that extended twelve miles through the lower Bruneau River system. Repeated surveys of waters downstream of this area has found no hydrilla in CJ Strike reservoir or downstream in the Snake River. Read full article.
Maryland
- Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources discovered hydrilla in Deep Creek Lake in2013. Herbicide treatment using Sonar®Aquatic Herbicide (fluridone) has progressed very well in all 8 originaltreatment zones. Control to date has shown very good selectivity for hydrilla. 2014 Deep Creek Lake Update
Michigan
- As of December 2005, biologists have found no evidence of hydrilla in Michigan's shallow Great Lakes bays, 11,000 inland lakes or thousands of miles of streams. However, the level of concern for ecological damage and economic harm to Michigan's water resources has increased due to the fact that hydrilla is now known to exist in two Great Lakes states, Pennsylvania and New Yor…
South Carolina
- Angler creel surveys and economic impact models were used to evaluate potential expansion of aquatic vegetation in Lakes Murray and Moultrie, South Carolina. Read full article.
Washington
- In 1994 hydrilla was found in Pipe and Lucerne Lake. Immediate action was taken but it was not until 2003 that their efforts appearead fruitful and eradication feasible. Hydrilla hasn't been found in Lucerne Lake since 2004 and since 2006 in Pipe Lake. Read full article.
Overview
Hydrilla (waterthyme) is a genus of aquatic plant, usually treated as containing just one species, Hydrilla verticillata, though some botanists divide it into several species. It is native to the cool and warm waters of the Old World in Asia, Africa and Australia, with a sparse, scattered distribution; in Australia from Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.
Taxonomy and naming
Hydrilla closely resembles some other related aquatic plants, including Egeria densa and Elodea canadensis. Synonyms include H. asiatica, H. japonica, H. lithuanica, and H. ovalifolica.
Ecology
Hydrilla verticillata is allelopathic to the common hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum) and prickly hornwort (C. muricatum), that is, it produces compounds that inhibit growth of the latter two species.
Status as an invasive plant
Hydrilla is naturalized and invasive in the United States following release in the 1950s and 1960s from aquariums into waterways in Florida, due to the aquarium trade. It is now established in Canada and the southeast from Connecticut to Texas, and also in California. By the 1990s control and management were costing millions of dollars each year.
Phytoremediation
This abundant source of biomass is a known bioremediation hyperaccumulator of mercury, cadmium, chromium and lead, and as such can be used in phytoremediation.
Medicinal uses of Hydrilla
Hydrilla is known to have many digestive and health benefits. The plant contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as being useful for fighting indigestion. The plant is also known for its extremely high concentration of calcium, vitamin B-12, iron and magnesium. As such, the plant has become an extremely popular "superfood"
External links
• Species Profile- Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Hydrilla.
California
Florida
- Hydrilla was first found in Florida in 1960 in the Snapper Creek Canal in South Miami, but it would be five more years until it was identified. More info here.
Idaho
- Hydrilla was identified in the Bruneau River near Bruneau, ID in December 2007. Surveys found an infestation that extended twelve miles through the lower Bruneau River system. Repeated surveys of waters downstream of this area has found no hydrilla in CJ Strike reservoir or downstream in the Snake River. Read full article.
Indiana
- Hydrilla was discovered in Lake Manitou during a routine aquatic plant survey conducted by the Division of Fish and Wildlife in August 2006. At the time of discovery, hydrilla had never been confirmed in a body of water in the Midwest. When found, the plant was scattered throughout a large portion of the northern basin of Lake Manitou indicating it...
Maryland
- Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources discovered hydrilla in Deep Creek Lake in2013. Herbicide treatment using Sonar®Aquatic Herbicide (fluridone) has progressed very well in all 8 originaltreatment zones. Control to date has shown very good selectivity for hydrilla. 2014 Deep Creek Lake Update
Michigan
- As of December 2005, biologists have found no evidence of hydrilla in Michigan's shallow Great Lakes bays, 11,000 inland lakes or thousands of miles of streams. However, the level of concern for ecological damage and economic harm to Michigan's water resources has increased due to the fact that hydrilla is now known to exist in two Great Lakes states, Pennsylvania and New Yor…
South Carolina
- Angler creel surveys and economic impact models were used to evaluate potential expansion of aquatic vegetation in Lakes Murray and Moultrie, South Carolina. Read full article.
Washington
- In 1994 hydrilla was found in Pipe and Lucerne Lake. Immediate action was taken but it was not until 2003 that their efforts appearead fruitful and eradication feasible. Hydrilla hasn't been found in Lucerne Lake since 2004 and since 2006 in Pipe Lake. Read full article.