Emergent Weeds

Above the surface plants crowding you out?

Cattails are a common example of an Emergent plant. Emergent plants are rigid and do not rely upon water for support. Aggressive growth can block lake or pond access, foul beaches and migrate into once clear waters. New infestations of emergent plants like Cattails can actually eliminate vital shallow areas used by fish for breeding and prohibit recreational activities. Emergent plants trap debris like grass clippings and leaves. As this foundation builds creating shallower conditions the cattails further encroach accelerating the transition from open water to a dominant emergent weed pond or shoreline.

There are many emergent weed varieties; most can be controlled with easy topical treatments that allow for very selective control.
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Emergent Weeds

Cattail

Cattail plants are long, slender and grasslike. The leaves are flat and about one inch in width. Cattails usually produce a long stalk with a seed spike at the end.

Bulrush

Bullrush may have triangular or round stems and may be leafy or have no leaves at all. The long stems usually have a cluster of brownish flowers and seeds at the end. There are many species of bulrush and they inhabit shallow water along shorelines.

Purple Loosestrife

Common in the Naiad family is bushy, water, brittle, slender and southern naiad. Bushy pondweed is sometimes confused with chara. Leaves are tapered to a fine point with tiny spines.

Smartweed

Surface mats are bubble filled and usually appear green but can become yellow to brownish. Prior to maturing beneath the surface, algae may appear like srtingy cotton candy strands attached to rocks, dock legs or weeds.

Creeping Water Primrose

Grows entirely underwater, except for a small white flower that blooms during the summer. Has branched stems, leaves are usually dark green color. Leaves are oval shaped and arranged in clusters of three or four around the stem.