Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata

Hydrilla is a nonnative underwater grass that grows in freshwater portions of the Chesapeake Bay and most of its tributaries. It has long, branching stems with small, straight or lance-shaped leaves.

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Hydrilla leaves come in whorls of five, though some may have four. The leaves have teeth that are easily visible. (Photo by Matt Rath/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.

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Appearance

Hydrilla is made up of long, freely branching stems with tiny, straight or lance-shaped leaves. Leaves usually have visible teeth along the edges. Leaves grow in whorls of four or five along each stem.

Tiny, white flowers appear in late summer. The underground portion of the plant’s stem called rhizomes grow along or just below bottom sediments. Roots and small, fleshy tubers grow from the rhizomes.

Predators

Migratory waterfowl feed on hydrilla.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Asexual reproduction takes place when plant fragments, tubers, roots and turions develop into new plants. Sexual reproduction occurs in late summer, when pollen from male flowers fertilizes female flowers. The seeds that form have about a 50% chance of growing into new plants.

Did You Know?

  • Hydrilla was introduced to the U.S. in the 1960s through the aquarium trade. It was first detected in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C., in 1982. By 1992, it covered 3,000 acres of the river.
  • Hydrilla does not need as much light as other bay grasses, so it can grow in more turbid areas.
  • It is considered by some to be a nuisance because it can block boating channels and limit water sports.
  • Hydrilla has become an excellent habitat for fishes, particularly largemouth bass and migratory waterfowl feed on the plant.
  • It can be confused with common waterweed. You can distinguish hydrilla by its whorls of four to five leaves, the visible teeth along the edges of its leaves and its fleshy tubers.

Sources and Additional Information

Tags:
Plants & Trees Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Streams & Rivers