Introduction: First North American report Lake Okeechobee – 2007
Aquatic community: Emergent
Habitat: Wet soils to floating mats
Distribution: Two South Florida lakes
Management effort: Eradication
2017 public waters / plant acres: 2 (< 1%) / 82
2017 Waters / acres controlled: 2 / 706
Environmental and Economic Concerns
Emergent, rooted in the substrate – shallowly submersed floating mats can exist in deep water
Forms dense rooted stands that can alter habitats and exclude native plants
Fragments drift into and colonize stands of emergent plants
overgrow and outcompete other emergent and floating plants, including water hyacinth
dense floating / drifting mats shade out submersed plants
restrict water flow and motor boat traffic
Reproduces by seeds and fragments that drift to and colonize new areas
contribute to rapid spread and invasiveness
fragments easily spread by boat traffic and water movement
Management Options
Biological: None available
Chemical: Glyphosate, Imazapyr or combinations
Mechanical: Not employed at this time
Physical: Not employed at this time
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Status of the Aquatic Plant Maintenance Program in Florida Public Waters, Annual Report – Fiscal Year 2016-2017.