Eurasian Milfoil
Deceptively delicate and fragile in appearance, the Eurasian watermilfoil forms thick mats in shallow areas of a lake, quickly growing and spreading to block sunlight, killing off native aquatic plants that fish and other underwater species rely on for food and shelter. In North America, the plant threatens the diversity and abundance of native plants as well as the ecological balance of lakes and ponds, which in turn adversely affects recreational opportunities. If left unchecked, invasive watermilfoil will spread through a lake, or even to other lakes by transmission.
Curly-leaf Pondweed
Curly-leaf pondweed is a non-native, invasive submersed aquatic plant that was first observed in Minnesota in about 1910.
Distribution in Minnesota: Curly-leaf pondweed is known to be present in more than 750 lakes in 70 of the 87 counties in Minnesota.
In Minnesota, Curly-leaf pondweed has caused problems in lakes by producing extensive mats in 3 to 10 feet of water. The plant is often a problem in lakes with low water clarity, mid-summer Secchi depths of three feet or less.
Distribution in Minnesota: Curly-leaf pondweed is known to be present in more than 750 lakes in 70 of the 87 counties in Minnesota.
In Minnesota, Curly-leaf pondweed has caused problems in lakes by producing extensive mats in 3 to 10 feet of water. The plant is often a problem in lakes with low water clarity, mid-summer Secchi depths of three feet or less.
Stary Stonewort
Starry stonewort is a type of non-native, aquatic algae from Europe and Asia. Unlike the microscopic algae that can make a water body green and cloudy, starry stonewort and its many native relatives in the Characeae family are anchored to the bottom of the lake, and can be well over a meter tall. These large algae resemble vascular plants, with structures that resemble stems and leaves.
Starry stonewort has been known to grow in dense stands that exclude other aquatic vegetation. These stands can also create a serious nuisance for boaters and other recreational users of lakes. This species has been documented in Wisconsin and several states to the east.
Starry stonewort may grow anywhere from a few inches deep to 9 meters deep. It prefers
hard-water lakes with marl sediments. This species can tolerate low light conditions, and may persist under ice cover in some lakes.
Starry stonewort has been known to grow in dense stands that exclude other aquatic vegetation. These stands can also create a serious nuisance for boaters and other recreational users of lakes. This species has been documented in Wisconsin and several states to the east.
Starry stonewort may grow anywhere from a few inches deep to 9 meters deep. It prefers
hard-water lakes with marl sediments. This species can tolerate low light conditions, and may persist under ice cover in some lakes.