Hydrilla!!!

August 8th was a big day for the crew! Erick and I were surveying some lakes in southeastern Ohio, in Wayne National Forest, and we had some extra time. We decided to drive along the Ohio river on our way up to a urban hub to find a hotel. There were several boat ramps along the route, so we decided to do some rake tosses along the way. So far, we had not found one plant at all the ramps of the Ohio river in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, so it was very surprising when we found an Ohio river ramp in New Matamoras that contained aquatic plants.

Now these were not just the normal run-of-the-mill plants we have been finding in most lakes in the area, but we stumbled across a patch of the infamous hydrilla. The main purpose of this summer study was to identify an early detection method for invasive aquatic plants, but we were really surveying the areas where the alien Hydrilla has yet to be discovered, to see the extent of its spread.

A little about Hydrilla:

-Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an introduced alien species from India and Korea.

-Can grow exponentially from small fregaments, buds or tubors; tubors can last up to four years making management programs very expensive and extensive.

-Can grow in any typre of freshwater, in as little as 4 inches of water, and can grow as long as 25 ft.

-Has branching stems with segments of whorling leaves of 4-8, creating thick mats that can strangle out any native species, get caught in boating and fishing gear.

-Hydrilla can grow up to an inch a day, and in Florida, where it has filled entire lakes, it prevents all recreational use of the water and prevents fish from growing to maximum size. Florida alone has spent millions every year in herbicides and mechanical harvesters to remove hydrilla from waterways.

How did Hydrilla get here?

Hydrilla came over in the aquarium trade in the 1950's. Having been dumped down drains, gutters, storm drains, and into waterways directly, Hydrilla spread from the southern portions of the nation into the country via canals and overground transport such as recreational boating.

You can see from the USDA map to the right, the states where Hydrilla has been found. Since the discovery by our crew, Ohio will soon be added to the map as a positive location of Hydrilla.

(picture source http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HYDRI)

Me holding up ONE rake full of hydrilla that we threw into the Ohio river in New Matamoras. You can see how massive this plant can get, imagine if this bundle was stuck on your boat prop or fishing line.

Hydrilla on the rake, close up.

(Photo Top: You can see the tops of the hydrilla emerging from the surface of the water as you look downstream of the Ohio River)

For more information regarding Hydrilla:

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/183

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/hydrilla/hydrilla_hp.htm

Wildflowers of the Midwest, Part Two!!

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) This pretty, airy relative of the carrot can be found along most roads and within any prairie or quiet field in the Midwest. Although you can cook and eat the taproot, do not get this plant confused with poison hemlock, which can be extremely poisonous.

Tall ironweed (Veronica gigantea) named after the English botanist William Vernon, these flowers can reach heights of up to seven feet. You can find these purple beauties from Florida to Michigan and as far west as Kansas.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) can be found almost anywhere in the Midwest as long as there is ample sunshine. The bright, yellow ray flowers perk up the green landscapes. This native prairie biennial forms bright three inch heads on tall stalks in their second year. This variety has been used in ornamental gardens throughout the entire Continent.

My boss Erick and his bouquet of pink indian lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera). He looks happy holding this elegant flower, but inside he is sad because this is the national flower of India and Vietnam and should not be anywhere near the lakes of Ohio. Flowers such as this can be nice to look at, but they can be extremely invasive (the lake we found this specimen was completely covered on one side by this one species). The best defense against invasives such as this is not allowing ornamental residential pond plants to be released into natural waterways. There should be more education to the public to prevent the spread of plants like this.

This precious gem, cleverly called Jewelweed, or spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) is one of my favorite little flowers I have seen out here in the Midwest. I found this particular one along a shady gravel road in eastern Ohio. This annual attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, and it's sap has been used to treat symptoms of poison ivy and nettles (in which it is usually found growing alongside).