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Variable-leaf Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum heterophyllum
Variable-leaf watermilfoil is a submerged perennial that looks like many native plants, including native watermilfoil species. It has 4-6 feathery leaves whorled around the stem, but some leaves can be alternate. Its leaves are divided into 7-14 pairs of leaflets, the dense leaf arrangement gives this plant a bottle brush appearance. Stems are thick and reddish-brown. In mid to late summer, blade-like, serrated leaves with small, reddish pink flowers form an erect spike that emerges from the water.
Asian Clam
Corbicula fluminea
Asian clam is a freshwater bivalve mollusk. The outside shells are yellow-green to brown with elevated concentric rings. If the color chips away, white spots can be seen underneath. The inside of the shells may be light purple. Adults are small, usually less than 1 1/2" in length.
Fishhook Waterflea
Cercopagis bengoi
Fishhook waterfleas are tiny crustaceans less than 1/2" long with long, sharp, barbed tails. The fishhook waterfleas have a slender spine and prominent S-shaped loop on the tail. Fishhook waterfleas collect in gelatinous globs on fishing equipment and lines.
Quagga Mussel
Dreissena bugensis
The quagga mussel is a filter-feeding, freshwater, bivalve mollusk. It is pale toward the end of its hinge and about 3/4" wide.
Water Chestnut
Trapa natans
Water chestnut is a fast-growing, floating annual that can grow to 16 ft. The most distinctive trait of this plant is its thorny nutlets.
European Frog-bit
Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
European frog-bit is a free-floating, short-lived perennial. The leaves are leathery and round with undersides that may be dark purple. Flowers are white with yellow centers, and bloom in the summer.
Brittle Naiad
Najas minor
Brittle naiad is an herbaceous annual that grows in dense clusters. Its leaves have visible serrations and are long, pointed and oppositely arranged on highly branched stems. The plant can reproduce from stem fragments, or from small seeds which grow along its stem.
Brazilian Elodea
Egeria densa
Brazilian elodea is a submerged perennial that looks similar to american waterweed (Elodea canadensis), a common native aquatic plant. Brazilian elodea has finely-toothed leaves that are bright green, bushy, and are usually arranged in whorls of four around the stem. The plant has round stems that can grow in water up to 20 ft. deep and often branches near the surface. It reproduces via plant fragmentation.
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum spicatum
Eurasian watermilfoil is a submerged perennial that looks like many native aquatic plants, including native milfoil species.