Plants play a critical role in the ecology of our fishes and wildlife, and actually define habitat types

by their
presence or absence. This guide is intended to assist in identifying most of the common aquatic plants present in
south Florida.

These plants can provide shade and oxygen for fishes. However, too many floating plants may shade
submerged oxygen-producing plants below them and can also interfere with angling access, especially when free-
floating plants are all pushed to one side of a lake or pond by wind or wave action.

(Pistia stratiotes)—Up to 1’ across. Possibly (Eichhornia crassipes)—1-3’ tall.

exotic (evidence uncertain). This open plant Exotic; present in Florida over 100
resembles a head of lettuce, as its name suggests. years. This plant’s bright purple
Leaves hairy. Feathery roots, like those of the flowers are unmistakable. Swollen
water hyacinth, provide some cover for small leaf stems are filled with spongy tissue
fishes and invertebrates. This plant is similar to that provides flotation. Feathery roots
the hyacinth in its ability to reproduce and cover remain underwater, and offer limited
water bodies, and has also proven expensive to cover for smaller invertebrates and
control. minnows. This plant reproduces
rapidly, can be dispersed by current
or wind, and has been one of the most
costly plants to control in Florida. It can
double its population in approximately
two weeks. Entire water bodies may
become covered with hyacinth.

(Lemna spp.)—Individual
plant less than ¼” across. Leaves are actually
fronds which may grow singly or in groups.
Each frond possesses a single root. Tiny, but
often present in large numbers that appear as
a coarse green scum on the water’s surface.
An excellent waterfowl food as the name
aptly suggests.

(Salvinia minima)—Entire plant about

¾” across. Exotic. A tiny floating fern
with many distinct, stiff hairs on its
leaves. This small plant does not possess
roots; instead, highly modified and finely
divided leaves hang beneath the plant to
absorb nutrients from the water.

Individual algae plants are

usually microscopic, but can be quite (Azolla caroliniana)—Entire plant about
noticeable as a group when floating or ½” across. Easily differentiated from
submerged as mats (filamentous algae), other small, floating plants by its reddish
or when contributing to a greenish or brownish leaves (although some
or reddish-brownish surface scum or leaves also green). Can occasionally
similarly-colored water turbidity (single- cover entire ponds, creating problems
celled algae). Difficult to control. for anglers or watering livestock.
 Lilies and related plants can provide shade, oxygen, and cover for fishes. Since they are rooted and do not
reproduce as quickly as some of the floating plants on the previous page, they do not present as many problems
and are generally beneficial.
(Nuphar advena)—Large leaf up to
16” long. Heart-shaped leaves less round than other lilies, and often free-
standing above the water. Ball-like round, yellow flower. Oval fruit yellow
to green. Plant grows from large rhizomes (shown below) which run along
the bottom; these rhizomes often become dislodged and can be observed
floating. An important host plant for the bonnetworm, an important bream
food (and excellent bait). Roots can provide spawning substrate for crappie
and bream.

(Nymphaea odorata)—Split leaf up to 12” across. Leaf round and lays

flat on water, unlike spatterdock. Leaf purplish-red below. Attractive and
aromatic white flower (as the two popular names for this plant suggest).
Other species of water lily, as well as hybrids, differ in flower color
(sometimes yellow or purple). Rhizome similar to that of spatterdock.

(Nelumbo lutea)—Very large

leaf 2-3’ across. Leaf round and unsplit, unlike spatterdock or
other lilies. Large, colorful yellow flower up to 6 in. across.
Unmistakable seed pod resembles shower head and is harvested
for the floral industry.

(Hydrocotyle umbellata)—
(Nymphoides aquatica)—Small Small leaf up to 2” wide, but
stem may be up to 12” long.
leaves are 3-6” wide. Easily Not a lily but resembles
identified as our smallest lily, one, especially when found
particularly if the tiny (½”) white growing on the surface of the
flowers are present. Gets its name water. Generally located along
shorelines, but also anywhere
from the banana-bunch shaped that the ground is damp
rhizomes found below water. Can enough to support it. A good
be difficult to control. waterfowl food.
 This is the most important group of plants for fishes. Submerged plants provide the most cover, oxygen,
and food. Even for fishes that do not eat plants, these species provide the necessary habitat for forage organisms
such as minnows, aquatic insects, and crustaceans.

(Hydrilla verticillata)—Individual leaves to

¾” long; branching stems may reach 25’ in
length. Exotic from Africa. Note the whorled
(circular) pattern of 4-5 leaves around the
stem. Leaves are serrated (toothed) and have
spines on underside of midrib. Tiny flowers
are white. Probably our best known submerged
plant. Requires only about one-third to one-
half the sunlight needed by native plants to
photosynthesize, allowing it to grow faster
and deeper than natives. White tubers at base
allow plant to survive cold and drought. Often
spread by fragments transported on boat
trailers. Excellent aquatic habitat for fishes
and other organisms, but high densities can
hinder boat navigation and angling, and lead to
overabundance of forage fish and stunted bass
populations. Labor-intensive to control due to
extremely rapid growth.

(Vallisneria americana)—Narrow leaves

up to 1” wide and 10’ long give this plant
its name. Note the rounded tip and “net”
(Potamogeton illinoensis) vein pattern of individual leaf. Tiny white
Elongate, wavy leaves lance- flowers rise to water’s surface on long thin
shaped, to 1” wide and 3-7” long. stems. Small banana-shaped fruit capsule
Distinctive “corn-cob” fruiting encloses numerous tiny seeds, but plant
head extends above waterline can also reproduce by fragmentation. In
and is easily identified. Plant very clear waters eelgrass may overgrow
may impede boating and angling and interfere with boating and angling, but
at higher densities, but usually this species is usually not problematic. A
beneficial as food for wildfowl prime waterfowl food and excellent habitat
(the fruiting heads are consumed) for fishes and other aquatic organisms.
and cover for fishes. Leaves may
be covered by a film of chalky
white calcium, particularly when
growing in “hard” (high calcium)
waters.

(Hygrophila polysperma)—Exotic from southeast Asia. Leaves are ½”

wide and 1½” long, and often appear reddish. Stems are square in cross-
section and grow to 6’ in length. Usually found in waters with at least
some flow. Very rapid growth and ability to reproduce new plants from
broken-off leaves and stems has recently made this one of the bigger
aquatic plant problems in southeast Florida. Dense growth obstructs
boating and angling access.
 (Chara spp.)—No leaves; thin
branches number 6-15 and are arranged in a whorled pattern around
stem. Actually a large multicellular algae, very bare and “twiggy” in
appearance. Name refers to strong musky odor of this species. Brittle
texture when crushed is due to high levels of calcium present within
plant. Seldom a problem, refusing to “top out” even when growing
in dense stands in shallow water. Excellent waterfowl food plant and
good habitat for aquatic forage organisms important to fishes.

(Ceratophyllum demersum)—Finely divided leaves are

up to 1” long and arranged in a whorled pattern around
stem. Similar to chara but with no odor, much softer feel,
and “bushier” appearance (giving this plant its name).
This species is unusual among submerged aquatics in that
it has no roots. May occasionally grow thickly enough to
interfere with boat traffic and angling. Moderate value as
a waterfowl food, but a fair cover species for minnows
and aquatic insects.

(Cabomba spp.)—
Note the two different types leaves. The
floating leaves are fewer in number and
may sometimes be absent. Fan-shaped
submersed leaves from which the name
originates are placed opposite each other
on stem, are branched, and 1-2” across.
Similar to chara and coontail in general
appearance. One species grows in pattern
somewhat similar to coontail, giving
large, bushy “tail” appearance. Stems
and leaves may be green or reddish.
Small flowers white to purple. Little
or no wildlife value, though probably
provides some cover for minnows and
aquatic invertebrates.

(Utricularia spp.)—Highly branched,

complex stems. Forked leaves have
numerous tiny bladders which are
carnivorous and can trap and digest
microscopic aquatic organisms.
Emergent stem supports small
yellow or purple flower, depending (Najas guadalupensis)—Fine leaves less
on species. Actually a rootless than 1/16” wide and up to 1” long, arranged
floating plant, although most of in pairs or in whorls of 3. Stems slender and
plant remains submerged. Grows many-branched. Grows in dense mats to just
in mats, often in association with below water surface. Flower inconspicuous.
other plant species, that sometimes A problematic plant because thicker growth
become dense enough to impede can hinder water flow and boat navigation.
boat traffic. Limited food use by However, an excellent food plant for
waterfowl but provides some cover waterfowl that also provides good habitat for
for smaller aquatic creatures. small aquatic animals.
 Emergent and shoreline plants are the most easily observed and studied. Many of these plants are
important not only to fishes, but also to wildlife for both food and habitat. Their dual role makes some of the
native species excellent choices for habitat restoration along south Florida shorelines.

(Typha spp.)—Individual
leaves up to 9’ in height. Several similar (Scirpus californicus)—Actually a
species occur in Florida and may interbreed large sedge. Narrow stems reach 9’
(hybridize), making identification down to in height and are round or triangular
the individual species difficult. The leaves in cross section. Raggedy-looking
are flat in cross-section but may be slightly clusters of brown flowers may be
curved. The tiny seeds are densely packed present. May turn brown in winter
within the spike (the hot-dog shaped fruit) and appear dead, only to “recover”
of the plant. Seeds emerge attached to a in spring. An excellent plant that
silky “parachute” and can be dispersed is seldom a control problem and
great distances by wind. Although a native, provides good habitat for fishes.
this species grows rapidly and densely in Wildlife will utilize the seeds for
high-nutrient waters and can be problematic food as well as the plant for cover
to control, making it undesirable. Even and nesting habitat. Can be planted
after being killed by chemical spraying the in deeper water than most other
stems may remain for over a year, requiring shoreline revegetation species due
manual removal. Cattails can impede not to its height, and requires very
only navigation but water flow. While food little soil to flourish. Does well in
value for wildlife is low, this plant does sandy soils which are inhospitable
provide cover for fish as well as for roosting to many other shoreline plant
and nesting birds. species.

(Cladium jamaicense)—The
dominant plant species of the
(Phragmites australis)—Exotic Everglades giving our “River
from Africa and Australia. A large of Grass” its longer moniker.
grass reaching 12’ in height. Indi- The name was coined by
vidual leaves 1-2” wide and up to Marjorie Stoneham Douglas
2’ long, with finely toothed edg- in her book of the same title.
es. Often found growing densely Up to 9’ tall with individual
packed along canal edges, and leaves less than ½” wide and
may be present in brackish wa- up to 4’ long. Named for the
ters. Can obstruct boat naviga- stiff, sharp serrations on the
tion as well as angler shoreline edge of the leaves which can
access. Commercially harvested deliver a long cut if care is
in other parts of not taken. Ragged clusters
the world for mak- of brown flowers are found
ing fishing rods on stalks forming the tallest
and mouthpieces part of the plant. May obstruct water flow
for musical instru- and boat trails but seldom the problem that
ments. Used as cov- other plants such as cattail present. Seeds
er and for roosting provide good food for waterfowl, while the
sites by birds. rest of the plant provides cover and nesting
habitat for a variety of bird species.
 (Pontedaria cordata)
Grows to 4’. Has lance- or arrowhead-shaped leaves up
to 4” wide and 8” long, with a distinct purple flower.
Although a recommended species for planting and
shoreline revegetation, pickerelweed can sometimes be
problematic, covering entire water bodies. Seeds can
provide food for waterfowl, while the plant can provide
cover for both fishes and birds.

(Sagittaria latifolia)
Lance- or arrowhead-shaped leaves up to 4” wide and 2’
long. Easiest way to identify this plant is by the white,
3-petaled flower when present. A good shoreline plant
providing some food for waterfowl as well as cover
for wildlife. Burred seeds can be dispersed over great
distances because they will catch on the fur or feathers
of passing animals.

(Panicum repens)—Exotic from

Australia. Grows to over 2’. Narrow (Ludwigia peruviana)—Height to 6’. A
leaves about ¼” wide. Fast-growing common shoreline shrub easily identified
plant found along water’s edge and by its bushy appearance and yellow, 4- or
beaches as well as in damp terrestrial 5-petaled flowers. Usually found growing
sites such as low fields. May grow above the waterline near ditches or lakes
20’ out into water or form dense as well as in more terrestrial habitats,
floating mats. This plant is difficult particularly disturbed areas. Can grow
to control and will quickly infiltrate and spread rapidly but despite this fact is
stands of native vegetation. Once seldom a control problem. Seeds provide
established among other vegetation food for waterfowl, while plant provides
it is very difficult to remove without cover for a variety of birds.
destroying adjacent plants as well.
Poor food value for wildlife but
provides cover for small aquatic
fishes and invertebrates such as
grass shrimp.

(Eleocharis spp.)—Grows to 3’.

Various species present in south
(Thalia geniculata)—Grows Florida. Note the straight, pencil-like
to 8’. Recognized by the broad leaves growing upright in standing
lance-shaped leaves up to 3’ water. Scaled pattern of flower at top
long, growing in a distinct of stems reminiscent of pine cone.
pattern pointing outward from Not important as a food plant but
center of plant. Purple flowers nevertheless an excellent shoreline
(and resulting seeds) grow species providing cover for fishes,
in a zigzag pattern on stalks particularly favored by bass. Like
extending above the leaves. bulrush, can be planted in shallow
Usually found in standing soils and also does well in sand.
water. Flowers and seeds
provide food for wildlife
while leaves provide
shade and cover.

This publication is produced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; 8535 Northlake Boulevard;
West Palm Beach, FL 33412; 561-625-5122. It is paid for in part by Sport Fish Restoration funds. For even more
species of aquatic plants and greater depth of information, an online information resource is available at the excellent
University of Florida website, http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/photocom.html. Aquatic plant line drawings are the
copyright property of the University of Florida Center for Aquatic Plants (Gainesville). Used with permission.