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Great Lakes Center, SAMC 319
SUNY Buffalo State
1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222
wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878.4708
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.
The bighead carp is a large, narrow fish with eyes that project downward. The body coloration is dark gray, fading to white toward the underside, with dark blotches on the sides.
The bloody red shrimp are translucent ivory-yellow in color, and exhibit bright red to reddish-orange coloring around the head and tail. The threat to the Great Lakes is currently not well understood.
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.
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.
Carolina fanwort forms extremely dense stands that clog drainage systems and waterways, interfering with recreational activities. Dense stands also negatively impact native biodiversity.
Curly-leaf pondweed is a submerged perennial that resembles many native pondweeds. Care must be taken to correctly identify this species. Rigid, reddish-green, oblong leaves have distinct, finely-toothed, wavy edges. The plant's flat, reddish-brown stem grows from 1-16 ft. Most reproduction is from winter buds, called turions.
Eurasian watermilfoil is a submerged perennial that looks like many native aquatic plants, including native milfoil species.
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.
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.
Flowering rush is a perennial, herbaceous, aquatic plant that grows 1-4 ft. tall, on an erect stem. The narrow, pointed leaves are triangular in cross section and have smooth edges and parallel veins.
Report an Invasive Species
wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878.4708