Hydrilla is a freshwater plant. It is a flora that matures up to the surface in water of about 20 feet deep. This very common water plant can be found in all types of water: rivers, lakes, fenland, springs and the like. This water flora can flourish 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 copiously and when it gets to the surface, it spreads its branches and forms dense mats. It might have stems as long as 25 feet underwater in water! The Hydrilla roots, also know as Rhizomes, are frequently than not|by and large|mostly|in general] off-white or yellow in color. There are many ways a Hydrilla can reproduce. Fragmentation, seeds, tubers and turions (auxiliary buds) are the primary ways the Hydrilla propagates.
The Hydrilla has many advantages when likened to other plants. It can grow in very low light with 1% sunlight. Hydrillas absorb a great deal of foods from the water leaving little for the indigenous plants. Hydrillas are labeled as a pestilent pest because of their fast growth rate that makes them a menace to other native floras. It is considered to be dangerous because it is almost unseen properly before it totally tops out a lake, pond, or a specific area. Hydrillas will ofttimes choke out native marine floras because they take up so much surface area absorbing the sunlight and nutrients.
Every year, millions of dollars worth of weed killers and mechanical harvesters are used to keep this horrific pest under proper control, so that it doesnt cross the limit. Since it harms the vegetation around it, individuals cant even fish around areas these grow. Slowed water flow and blocked up irrigation or flood control canals are as a result of Hydrilla over growth. Swimming, boating, and angling all are seriously affected by it. When a lot of Hydrilla grows together, it can totally take down that areas water oxygen level.
The Elodea and Egeria are ofttimes mixed up with the Hydrilla. In the case of a Hydrilla, there is one or more teeth located at the bottom of the midrib. Elodea and Egeria do not have teeth present on their undersides. Neither Elodea nor Egeria has teeth on their bottom. Due to these teeth, we feel the harshness of these floras when we rub over from its base to the tip. The blossoms the Egeria create are also bigger than the Hydrilla.
Macro and micro invertebrates feed on Hydrilla. Upon dying, these micro and macro organisms disintegrate and become food for other land and aquatic wildlife. When this plant dies, their disintegration is done by bacteria and fungi and provides food called detritus for many marine invertebrates. Many ducks consume Hydrilla turions and tubers, but it is not believed a fine wildlife feed.
About the Author:
Dave McNabb founded a full service aquatic maintenance company located in Lafayette, California in 1996. Dave started his aquatic career in 1980 with Aquatics Unlimited located in Martinez, California. In 1984 Dave became the very first Aquamog operator and has run the machines for the past 25 years.