Plant Management in Florida Waters

Lyngbya

Scientific name: Microseira wollei (formerly classified as Lyngbya wollei)
Origin: Asia, Africa, and Australia
Introduction: Uncertain – in US >100 years
Aquatic community: Submersed, not rooted / floating mats
Habitat: Nutrient rich, degraded waters
Distribution: Throughout Florida, mostly peninsular
Management effort: Maintenance
2020 Acres Treated: 0

Lyngbya Lyngbya

Cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) associated with waters with high organic content or nutrient levels
- Increasingly common in Florida springs and lakes / ponds with soft sediments
Submersed filaments expand into extensive mats especially in Florida where mats can overwinter
Gas bubbles float mats to surface in late spring through summer
Dense mats interfere with boating, fishing, swimming, and aesthetics – clog water intakes
- blocks sunlight from reaching submersed plants
- reduces oxygen levels by blocking the interface between the water surface and the atmosphere
Produces skin, liver, neuro, fish and shellfish toxins can cause gastrointestinal problems
Produces off-flavor compounds that imparting earthy or mush-like taste and odor to water
May be allelopathic
Algal cells reproduce and spread rapidly by water movement, boats, animals; even water droplets
Mucilaginous sheath makes herbicide control difficult
- Most control involves harvesting surface mats or combing submersed mats from native plants
- Carp will consume almost all other plants before feeding on lyngbya

Biological: Triploid grass carp ineffective
Chemical: Sequential amine endothall + copper applications peroxide;
Mechanical: Harvest surface mats – Comb / lift submersed lyngbya from sediments
Physical: Drawdowns impractical – can survive dry periods