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Brazilian elodea (Egeria densa)

Brazilian elodea Common Names: Brazilian waterweed, South American waterweed, Anacharis

Description: This species is listed on the Michigan prohibited aquatic plant list. Most easily surveyed in summer and fall, when its flowers, which distinguish it from other Elodea species and Hydrilla, are present.

Habit: Aquatic; submergent; rooted plant.

Leaves: Oblong or broadly linear, whorls of 4-6, bright green in color.

Stems: Range from 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft); occasionally to 6 m (20 ft); May be simple or branched.

Flowers: White in color, 3 petals, 3 cm (0.75 in) across, petals much larger than sepals; held above the water on slender stems.

Fruit and seeds: Fruit berry-like; uncommon.

Habitat: Native to South America. Found in still or slow-moving waters, including ponds, lakes, rivers and streams.

Reproduction: Fragments dispersed by waterfowl and boats.

Similar species: Can be mistaken for Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis) or Western waterweed (Elodea nuttallii)

Monitoring and rapid response: Large infestations can be controlled with herbicides. Fluridone is most effective, but mixtures with diquat or endothall salts with complex copper mixtures can also be effective. Because it spread through vegetative reproduction, harvesting is not recommended. Water drawndown may be effective. Aquarium plants should not be discarded into or near a water body.

Credits: The information provided in this factsheet was gathered from "A Boaters Guide to Selected Invasive Aquatic Plants" by Michigan State University Extension, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

Individual species images that appear with a number in a black box are courtesy of the Bugwood.org network (https://www.invasive.org).Individual photo author credits may not be included due to the small display size of the images and subsequent difficulty of reading the provided text. All other images appear courtesy of Google (https://images.google.com).


STATUS

Priority Species

Common Name:

Brazilian elodea

Scientific Name:

Egeria densa

Family:

Hydrocharitaceae
(Tape-grass)

Duration:

Perennial

Habit:

Aquatics

USDA Symbol:

EGDE

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