Hydrilla

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Hydrilla is a fresh water flora. The Hydrilla will grow to the waters surface from a depth of up to 20 feet. This is a very common flora because it can almost grow in any freshwaters such as springs, rivers, marshes, ditches, and lakes. Hydrillas can grow in as small as a few inches of water or in as much as 20 feet of water. 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 fresh water plant, Hydrilla, branches copiously and when it reaches the surface, it opens its branches and forms dense mats. The Hydrilla can have submerged stems that reach up to twenty five feet in length. mostly off-white or yellow in color. | The roots or Rhizomes of the Hydrilla are oftentimes yellowish or off-white in color. }There are many ways a Hydrilla can procreate. Fragmentation, from seeds, from tuber, and turions (auxiliary buds) are ways how this pest procreates.
 
The Hydrilla has many positives on its side when compared to other marine floras. The Hydrilla only needs 1% sunlight to grow. Hydrillas absorb a great deal of foods from the water leaving little for the indigenous plants. Hydrillas can grow very speedily, competing with the native species, and that’s why it is believed a noxious pest. 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. When it covers a big area, all the marine plants that fall under it die due to the lack of sunlight or nutrition. When Hydrilla encompasses a large area, all the other aquatic floras fail because the do not receive enough sunlight or foods.
 
Millions of dollars are spent each year on weed killers and harvesting devices in an effort to keep this plants growth under control. Hydrilla harms the vegetation in the surrounding area making it near impossible for fishermen to fish. Hydrilla is responsible for slowing water flow and clogging irrigation and flood- control canals. Bathing, boating and fishing can not be properly done in areas when Hydrilla has taken hold. When a lot of Hydrilla grows together, it can totally take down that areas water oxygen level.
 
The Elodea and Egeria are frequently mixed up with the 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 bottom. Because of the teeth, Hydrilla will feel rough. Hydrilla will feel rough due to the presence of the teeth on the underside of the plant. Also, Egeria has larger blooms than the Hydrilla.
 
Hydrilla is eaten by macro and micro invertebrates. Species like ducks, fish, amphibians and reptiles will consume the decomposed remains of the micro and macro organisms that fed on the Hydrilla. Bacteria and fungi break up Hydrillas that die naturally and then produce a food called rubble, which many marine creatures eat. Many ducks consume Hydrilla turions and tubers, but it is not believed a fine wildlife feed.