Hydrilla
Quick Facts |
 |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hydrilla verticillata |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Introduction | Early 1950s, aquarium trade |
| Aquatic community | Submersed, surface mats |
| Habitat | Inches to 35 feet deep |
| Distribution | Statewide |
| Management effort | Maintenance control |
| 2010 public waters / plant acres: | 198 / 32,310.85 |
Environmental and Economic Concerns
- Grows as much as two inches per day in Florida waters
- Can cover entire water body surface 1-2 years after introduction
- 80% of plant mass is in the upper two feet of water column
- blocks sunlight and shades out native plants
- blocks air exchange and consumes oxygen, leading to fish kills
- blocks access, navigation, and recreation
- breaks loose and jams against bridges and dams
- Reduces recreation-based incomes and property values
- Doubles sedimentation rate from senescing leaves and stems
- Disperses by fragments, buds, and runners (does not produce seeds)
- Resists long-term control via underground propagules (tubers)
- millions produced per acre
- no effective tuber control method
- viable tubers lie dormant for as long as seven years
Hydrilla verticillata
Jeff Schardt (FWC) holding hydrilla
Management Options |
|
|---|---|
| Biological | Sterile grass carp; host-specific insects (few insect successes to date); testing a pathogen in conjunction with herbicides; increasing overseas exploration for additional host-specific insects |
| Chemical | Large-scale: fluridone, imazamox, penoxsulam; small-scale: copper, diquat and especially endothall; evaluating new herbicide compounds including bispyribac, flumioxazin, quinchlorac, topramezone |
| Mechanical | Harvest from spring runs, harvest / shred mats lodged against structures (bridges, dams) |
| Physical | Hand pull / diver dredge new infestations, or in fast-flowing water |
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2009-2010.
Last updated: 16 February 2012