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Submersed Plants
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Floating leaves are oval and the base tapers to and distinct petiole. The submersed leaves of this plant are often lance-like, and also taper to a long petiole. This plant generally has sparse leafing this is arranged alternately.
American Pondweed
Potamogeton
nodosus
This submersed weed with
broad oval leaves appears to be similar to Hydrilla. This plant contains 3 whorls in the leaves around the stem. whorls are compact near the growth tip with spacing between the whorls gradually increasing as you go down the stem.
Elodea
Elodea
canadensis
Submersed leaves are oppositely arranged on the stem. The leaves are fan-shaped and dissected into many narrow segments.
Eurasion
Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum
spicatum
Unlike the true pondweeds, This species has all leaves oppositely arranged on the stem. The fragile stem rises form a horizontal root. leaves are long and narrow with flattish seed attached to the stems at the base of the leaves.
Horned Pondweed
Zannichellia Palustris
Thick, large stems and broad leaves aid in identification of Largeleaf pondweed. The submerged leaves appear wavy and taper toward the stem. Floating leaves are egg shaped. Rarely is this pondweed found branching.
Largeleaf
Pondweed
Potamogeton
amplifolius
This native species of milfoil has a hollow stem with whorled leaves at intervals along the entire length of the plant. This entire plant is submerged with exception of a tiny stalk of flowers that may extend above the water surface.
Northern Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum sibiricum
The underwater stem forms a dense tuft at its tip and resembles a soft bottlebrush. As the stem reaches the surface it changes its growth pattern to become a stout emergent flower-spike carrying a different type of leaf. The plant can form dense growth, rooting from stem fragments.
Variable-leaf Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum heterophyllum
Appearing extremely leafy at the tip dupe to frequent branching, Claspingleaf can be easily confused with Curlyleaf Pondweed. Claspingleaf has leaves with smooth edges and a wide base that wraps around the stem almost completely.
Claspingleaf Pondweed
Potamogeton
Richardsonii
An aggressive plant, this exotic milfoil can grow nearly 10 feet in length forming dense mats at the water surface. This plant quickly out competes native species. Identifying features include a pattern of 4 leaves whorled around a hollow stem and feathery in appearance.
Eurasion
Watermilfoil
Myriophyllum
spicatum
Stem large and conspicuously flattened. Leaves ribbon-like and extended upwards from flattened surface of stem.
Flat-stemmed
Pondweed
Potamogeton
Natans
These underwater leaves are thin-textured and flimsy, Their edges often wavy or rippling. Submersed leaves are linear lanceshaped, tapering at both ends, and up to 8" long; a leaf stalk may be present, to 2" lond, or absent. Plants are found in water to 15ft deep.
Illinois Pondweed
Potamogeton
illinoensis
Naiads are annual plants, growing from seed each year, and can form dense, bushy masses by midsummer. The edges may or may not appear spiny and the leaf tips taper to a fine point.
Illinois Pondweed
Potamogeton
illinoensis
Plants are bushy in appearance with narrow thread-like leaves alternately arranged on the stem. Nutlets are (a small nut) are arranged like beads spaced like beads spaced on a string and emerge from the water.
Sago Pondweed
Stuckenia Pectinatus
This submersed plant can form thick beds and dominate an area. The grass like leaves have a distinctive pattern used to identify the plant. Flaccid when out of the water, the foliage occurs in tufts, much like turf grass.
Wild Celery
Valisneria americana
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