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Photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Water Chestnut

COMMON NAME:

Water chestnut

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Trapa natans

ORIGIN:

Europe and Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Water chestnut is a fast-growing, floating annual that can grow to 16 ft. It has feathery, submersed leaves and triangular, toothed, floating leaves that are glossy. Floating leaf stalks have visible bulbous bladders and commonly form rosettes. Flowers with four white petals normally bloom in July. The most distinctive trait of this plant is its thorny nutlets which mature in late summer. Reproduction occurs from these very sharp nutlets and from fragmentation of the rosettes.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Water chestnut is found in slow-moving and/or still, high-nutrient waters with soft substrate and neutral to alkaline pH.

THREAT:

Impenetrable mats of water chestnut can cover large expanses of water, altering water quality and clarity, eliminating the growth of native aquatic plants, and making boating, fishing and swimming hazardous.

MANAGEMENT:

Small populations can be controlled by hand pulling. Large infestations have been controlled in the northeast by the use of mechanical harvesters and the application of aquatic herbicides. Bio-controls are currently being researched.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 3 - Containment

Invasive Species Priorities - Tier Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

WNY PRISM Best Management Practices for Water Chestnut

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

Water chestnut is a prohibited species in New York State - for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

Water chestnut was introduced to North America as an ornamental water garden plant. Water chestnut can propagate from broken off plant pieces and is spread when those plant pieces attach to boats, trailers and other aquatic gear.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Locally Common

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.