711

Submersed aquatic (rooted); Forb
Perennial
Dioecious (a monoecious form exists north of SC)

Non-native: Old World
Documented growing wild in GA NC SC

Uncommon, but often locally abundant

Look for it in ponds, lakes, rivers, per Weakley's Flora

To see a detailed map, click here

INVASIVE

This plant is causing problems in natural areas outside its native range, according to authorities such as:

Alabama Invasive Plant Council, 2012
Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2006
Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2013
NC Department of Transportation
SC Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Nuisance Species List, 2003
SC List of Regulated Pest Plant Species, 2017
Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2009
US Fish & Wildlife Service
USDA Federal Noxious Weed List, 093014
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2014

 

Aquatic

LEAVES:
Simple
Whorls of 4-8

FLOWER:
Summer
Whitish sepals & translucent petals in female flowers, male reddish-brown
3 sepals in pistillate flowers
3 petals in pistillate flowers
Flowers solitary on elongate flexuous stalks

FRUIT:
Summer/Fall
Capsule

 

TO LEARN MORE about this plant, look it up in a good book!

• Field Guide to Aquatic Plants of Alabama p42
• Invasive Plants, Guide to Identification, Impacts and Control p429
• Invasive Exotic Plants of North Carolina p054

Spermatophytes (seed plants): Angiosperms (flowering plants): Monocots: Alismatales

WEAKLEY'S FLORA (11/30/12):
Hydrilla verticillata   FAMILY Hydrocharitaceae

SYNONYMOUS WITH PLANTS NATIONAL DATABASE:
Hydrilla verticillata   FAMILY Hydrocharitaceae