2010 Oregon Invasive Species Council calendar events
What is hyrdrilla?
Hydrilla is a submersed plant. It can grow to the surface and form dense mats. It may be found in all types of freshwater bodies. Hydrilla stems are slender, branched and up to 25 feet long. The leaves are small, strap like and pointed. They typically grow in whorls of five around the stem but the number of leaves in the whorl can range from four to eight. The leaf margins are distinctly saw-toothed.
Lookalike
Hydrilla closely resembles two other aquatic plants. The non-native plant Brazilian elodea (egeria densa) and the native plant American water-weed (Elodeo canadensis). You can distinguish hydrilla from these look-alike species by the presence of tubers (0.2 to 0.4 inch long, off-white to yellowish, pea-like structures buried in the sediment). Neither Brazilian elodea nor waterweed has tubers.
What can you do?
Clean, drain and dry your boat and equipment before moving to another water body. Report any suspected sightings of hydrilla to 1-866-INVADER or report it online at http://oregoninvasiveshotline.org. Join a local Early Detection and Rapid Response network in your local area to learn about hydrilla and other invasives.
