A Gallery of White Lake’s A Gallery of White Lake’s Aquatic Macrophyte Aquatic Macrophyte

CommunityCommunity

BulrushBulrush

Found mostly along shallow margins in water < 3 ft deepFound mostly along shallow margins in water < 3 ft deep Represented by several species, including Represented by several species, including Scirpus pungensScirpus pungens (l.) and (l.) and Scirpus Scirpus

americanus americanus (r.), the latter readily distinguishable by triangular stem(r.), the latter readily distinguishable by triangular stem Highly desirable as habitat and for erosion control, but unacceptable in Highly desirable as habitat and for erosion control, but unacceptable in

swimming areas; seeds are important waterfowl foodswimming areas; seeds are important waterfowl food

BushyBushy pondweedpondweed

Leaves opposite but Leaves opposite but with bundles of other with bundles of other leaves at the base of leaves at the base of each leaf, giving the each leaf, giving the appearance of being appearance of being whorled; leaves 0.5 - whorled; leaves 0.5 - 1.5 inches in length1.5 inches in length

Generally beneficialGenerally beneficial More than one More than one

species from the species from the NajasNajas family, but all family, but all similar in similar in appearanceappearance

CattailsCattails

Left: common cattail (Left: common cattail (Typha latifoliaTypha latifolia); right: narrow leaf cattail (); right: narrow leaf cattail (Typha augustifolia); Typha augustifolia); frequently hybridize, forming frequently hybridize, forming Typha xglaucaTypha xglauca

Narrow leaf cattail and hybrids displace common cattail and are often invasiveNarrow leaf cattail and hybrids displace common cattail and are often invasive Male and female parts of flower are separated on the stems of narrow leaf cattailMale and female parts of flower are separated on the stems of narrow leaf cattail BeneficiaBeneficial as habitat, for erosion control, as a natural visual screen and as muskrat l as habitat, for erosion control, as a natural visual screen and as muskrat

food source; not desirable in swimming areas; can spread rapidly when water levels food source; not desirable in swimming areas; can spread rapidly when water levels change; tolerant of variation in soil moisture (seasonal standing water)change; tolerant of variation in soil moisture (seasonal standing water)

Separate male andfemale parts

Muskgrass/StonewortMuskgrass/Stonewort

Brittle, rough texture; short leaves; produces musky odor when Brittle, rough texture; short leaves; produces musky odor when crushedcrushed

CharaChara family of macro algae; not rooted family of macro algae; not rooted Highly desirable, except when thick mats develop in swimming areasHighly desirable, except when thick mats develop in swimming areas Similar in appearance to Similar in appearance to undesirableundesirable starry stonewort starry stonewort

Clasping leaf pondweedClasping leaf pondweed

2 - 3 inch leaves wrap around stem, hence the name2 - 3 inch leaves wrap around stem, hence the name Systematic name: Systematic name: Potamogeton richardsoniiPotamogeton richardsonii Generally desirable, but can form dense bedsGenerally desirable, but can form dense beds Easily confused with the Easily confused with the undesirableundesirable Curly leaf pondweed, which has Curly leaf pondweed, which has leaves with finely leaves with finely

toothed edgestoothed edges not present on clasping leaf not present on clasping leaf Shares many attributes with White stem pondweedShares many attributes with White stem pondweed

CoontailCoontail

Leaves have coarse serrations and Leaves have coarse serrations and form whorls around stem that grow form whorls around stem that grow more closely packed towards upper more closely packed towards upper stem endsstem ends

Has desirable characteristics as Has desirable characteristics as habitat but can form very dense habitat but can form very dense beds to the detriment of other beds to the detriment of other speciesspecies

Not rooted, although lower parts Not rooted, although lower parts may be covered by surface may be covered by surface sediments, and thus spreads sediments, and thus spreads through mechanical disruptionthrough mechanical disruption

Systematic name: Systematic name: Ceratophyllum Ceratophyllum demersumdemersum

Eurasian water milfoilEurasian water milfoil

Generally undesirable as habitat; tendencyto form heavy beds that emerge from surface and interfere with navigation and other recreational uses; fragile and easily spread by mechanical disruption

Not always readily distinguishable from native milfoil, with which it also forms hybrids withmixed characteristics

Systematic name: Myriophyllum spicatum

Eel grass/Wild Eel grass/Wild celerycelery

Long, ribbon-like leaves emerging from a rooted base; reproductive Long, ribbon-like leaves emerging from a rooted base; reproductive parts borne on helical threads extending to surfaceparts borne on helical threads extending to surface

Highly desirable as habitat and food for water fowlHighly desirable as habitat and food for water fowl Systematic name: Systematic name: Vallisneria americanaVallisneria americana Resistant to herbicides and spreads when they are used to control Resistant to herbicides and spreads when they are used to control

other plantsother plants

Fern-leaf pondweedFern-leaf pondweed

Leaves extending in nearly opposite directions in a single plane Leaves extending in nearly opposite directions in a single plane so that the entire plant appears somewhat flat, especially when so that the entire plant appears somewhat flat, especially when

seen in waterseen in water Generally beneficial; good fish habitatGenerally beneficial; good fish habitat Systematic name: Systematic name: Potamogeton robbinsiiPotamogeton robbinsii

Illinois Illinois pondweedpondweed

Leaves 2 - 6 inches Leaves 2 - 6 inches with sharp tipswith sharp tips

Almost always Almost always beneficial; good beneficial; good habitat and habitat and waterfowl foragewaterfowl forage

Tends to grow in Tends to grow in diverse diverse communities with communities with other speciesother species

Systematic name: Systematic name: Potamogeton Potamogeton illinoensisillinoensis

Very similar to Very similar to American American pondweed pondweed ((Potamogeton Potamogeton nodosusnodosus))

Prominent stipule

Native milfoilNative milfoil

Similar in appearance Similar in appearance and growth and growth characteristics to invasive characteristics to invasive Eurasian water milfoil Eurasian water milfoil (EWM)(EWM)

Native milfoils are more Native milfoils are more subject to predation by subject to predation by indigenous milfoil weevils indigenous milfoil weevils than EWM and tend to be than EWM and tend to be less of a nuisance as a less of a nuisance as a resultresult

Hybrids with EWM exhibit Hybrids with EWM exhibit mixed characteristics; mixed characteristics; genotyping required!genotyping required!

But…there is often sufficient overlap in leaflet counts to make clear distinctions difficult

Sago Sago pondweedpondweed

Leaves 2 or more inches with sharp tips; tends to tall, bushy growth, often extending to the water surface, Leaves 2 or more inches with sharp tips; tends to tall, bushy growth, often extending to the water surface, where it can create a nuisancewhere it can create a nuisance

Excellent habitat for small invertebrates and as fish forageExcellent habitat for small invertebrates and as fish forage Subject to biological controls over time but tends to spread when other species are controlled with herbicidesSubject to biological controls over time but tends to spread when other species are controlled with herbicides Systematic name: Systematic name: Stukenia pectinataStukenia pectinata (formerly (formerly Potamogeton pectinatusPotamogeton pectinatus))

Thin leaf Thin leaf pondweedspondweeds

Consists of many Consists of many PotamogetonPotamogeton species with 2 - 3 inch thready leaves, species with 2 - 3 inch thready leaves, appearing somewhat sparse and fragileappearing somewhat sparse and fragile

Generally grows together in mixed beds with other species, providing Generally grows together in mixed beds with other species, providing desirable fish habitat; valuable as food source for waterfowldesirable fish habitat; valuable as food source for waterfowl

Seldom grows to surface; largely beneficial with no significant negative Seldom grows to surface; largely beneficial with no significant negative characteristicscharacteristics

Variable pondweedVariable pondweed

Submerged leaves vary in size and shape, hence the name; sometimes Submerged leaves vary in size and shape, hence the name; sometimes puts out floating leaves that are larger and widerputs out floating leaves that are larger and wider

Desirable species growing in mixed beds with Desirable species growing in mixed beds with PotamogetonPotamogeton species, species, and othersand others

Systematic name: Systematic name: Potamogeton gramineusPotamogeton gramineus

Waterweed/ElodeaWaterweed/Elodea

Beneficial as habitat and food sourceBeneficial as habitat and food source Low recreational impactLow recreational impact Systematic name: Systematic name: Elodea canadensisElodea canadensis Closely resembles the invasive and Closely resembles the invasive and

highly undesirable Hydrilla, which usually highly undesirable Hydrilla, which usually has up to 5 leaves in each whorlhas up to 5 leaves in each whorl

Never more than 3 leaves in a whorl

White water lilyWhite water lily

Distinctive, lotus-like flowers with pleasing fragranceDistinctive, lotus-like flowers with pleasing fragrance Several Several NymphaeaNymphaea species of similar appearance species of similar appearance Note absence of distinct mid-rib in leaves, which emerge at the surface on a single stemNote absence of distinct mid-rib in leaves, which emerge at the surface on a single stem Grows from a large root buried in the lake bottomGrows from a large root buried in the lake bottom Usually found in water < 5 ft deep, where organic matter is abundant in sedimentsUsually found in water < 5 ft deep, where organic matter is abundant in sediments Highly desirable, except as an impediment to recreation when present in large bedsHighly desirable, except as an impediment to recreation when present in large beds

White stem pondweedWhite stem pondweed

Similar to clasping leaf pondweed in most respects; tall, leafy growth patternSimilar to clasping leaf pondweed in most respects; tall, leafy growth pattern Can form dense beds that reach the water surface, sometimes interfering with Can form dense beds that reach the water surface, sometimes interfering with

recreational usesrecreational uses Characterized by 4 - 8 inch submersed leaves as well as stem colorCharacterized by 4 - 8 inch submersed leaves as well as stem color Systematic name: Systematic name: Potamogeton praelongusPotamogeton praelongus

Yellow water lilyYellow water lily

Represented by several similar Represented by several similar Nuphar Nuphar species (species (Nuphar luteaNuphar lutea shown) shown) Characteristics similar to white water lily except flower colorCharacteristics similar to white water lily except flower color Floating leaves have pronounced mid-ribFloating leaves have pronounced mid-rib Desirable except when present in dense beds that interfere with navigationDesirable except when present in dense beds that interfere with navigation

NotesNotes

Color photographs are from public-domain Internet sourcesColor photographs are from public-domain Internet sources Line drawings and some descriptive material were adapted from Howard D.Wandell and Line drawings and some descriptive material were adapted from Howard D.Wandell and

Lois G.Wolfson, Lois G.Wolfson, A Citizen's Guide for the Identification, Mapping and Management of the A Citizen's Guide for the Identification, Mapping and Management of the Common Rooted Aquatic Plants of Michigan LakesCommon Rooted Aquatic Plants of Michigan Lakes (2nd ed.), Michigan State University (2nd ed.), Michigan State University Extension, May 2007. This publication is accessible online at: Extension, May 2007. This publication is accessible online at: www.micorps.net/documents/CommonRootedAqPlants-MSUE-WQ-55.pdfwww.micorps.net/documents/CommonRootedAqPlants-MSUE-WQ-55.pdf

This gallery is intended for general use. Please consult Wandell and Wolfson for more This gallery is intended for general use. Please consult Wandell and Wolfson for more complete and definitive information.complete and definitive information.

A second WLA Gallery of photos focuses on potential invasive species not yet reported to A second WLA Gallery of photos focuses on potential invasive species not yet reported to occur in White Lakeoccur in White Lake

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of more than two dozen volunteers from the We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of more than two dozen volunteers from the riparian community, the White Lake Association (which also provided financial assistance), riparian community, the White Lake Association (which also provided financial assistance), and the White River Watershed Partnership, as well as technical back-stopping by the Anis and the White River Watershed Partnership, as well as technical back-stopping by the Anis Water Resources Institute and the Muskegon Conservation DistrictWater Resources Institute and the Muskegon Conservation District

Thomas Tisue, Thomas HamiltonThomas Tisue, Thomas Hamilton

February, 2014February, 2014