Hydrilla

August 30, 2009

Hydrilla is an marine fresh water plant. This plant grows to the surface of the water from a depth as great as 20 feet. Hydrillas are a standard aquatic plant and can grow in a variety of peculiar water sorts. This water flora can thrive in water that is very shallow or up to 20 feet deep. This flora can grow in either oligotrophic (low nutrient) or eutrophic (high nutrient) water.

The Hydrilla is suited to more mild climates as it will only tolerate temperatures between 20 C and 27 C. This freshwater plant, Hydrilla, branches abundantly and when it reaches the surface, it unfolds its branches and forms dense mats. The Hydrilla can have submerged stems that reach up to twenty five feet in length. by and large off-white or yellow in color. | The roots or Rhizomes of the Hydrilla are ofttimes yellow or off-white in color. }There are lots of ways a Hydrilla can reproduce. Fragmentation, seeds, tubers and turions (auxiliary buds) are the primary ways the Hydrilla propagates.

When compared with other floras the Hydrilla has several advantages. Only one percent sunshine is need for the Hydrilla to grow. Hydrillas absorb a great deal of nutrients from the water leaving little for the indigenous floras. Hydrillas are marked as a noxious pest because of their fast growth rate that makes them a threat to other indigenous floras. The greatest danger of Hydrilla is that it can grow out of control and undetected until it pops out at the surface at the last minute. Hydrillas will often choke out native aquatic plants because they take up so much surface area absorbing the sunlight and foods.

Each year, millions are spent on herbicides and harvesting all in an effort to curb the growth and spread of Hydrilla. Hydrilla harms the flora in the immediate area making it near impossible for fishermen to fish. Slowed water flow and clogged up irrigation or flood control ducts are as a result of Hydrilla over growth. Swimming, boating, and fishing all are severely affected by it. Oxygen levels in waters full of Hydrilla can oftentimes drop drastically.

Elodea and Egeria are often confused for Hydrilla. The aquatic plants Elodea and Egeria are ofttimes thought to be Hydrilla. Hydrillas have one or more teeth on the underside of the midrib. Elodea and Egeria do not have teeth present on their undersides. Neither Elodea nor Egeria has teeth on their underside. Because of the teeth, Hydrilla will feel rough. Hydrilla will feel rough due to the presence of the teeth on the underside of the flora. Also the Hydrilla has smaller blossoms than the Egeria.

Hydrilla turns into food for macro and micro invertebrates. Upon dying, these micro and macro organisms disintegrate and become food for other land and marine wildlife. When Hydrilla dies naturally, they are rotted by bacteria and fungi and the end result is “detritus” a food for several marine invertebrates. Many ducks consume Hydrilla turions and tubers, but it is not considered a fine wildlife feed.

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