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Aquatic Plant ID

They go by different names. You may call them “weeds,” “grass” or “moss.” Aquatic plants are an integral part of the Tennessee River’s ecosystem, whether providing nutrients for the species at the bottom of the food chain, cover and ambush areas for largemouth bass or food source for the multitude of local waterfowl.

This guide provides information to help you understand when these plants are most productive, where they grow and—most importantly—help you identify them. Whether you are an angler, property owner or any other lake user, we invite you to learn more about the aquatic plants present in our Tennessee Valley region reservoirs.

The guide also offers season-by-season tips for fishing among these plants.

Floating and Floating Leaf Plants

Duckweed

Duckweed (Lemna minor), native, is also known as water lentils or water lenses. This plant floats on or near the water’s surface.

Duckweed

Description

Duckweed is a small, free-floating plant with flat, light green, leaf-like fronds. These oval or elliptical fronds are 1/10 to 1/8 inch long with one prominent root below. Fronds occur singly or in clusters of 2 to 4. They flower infrequently and the small flowers are rarely seen. Because the various species are difficult to distinguish, identification is usually only to the generic level.

Habitat

Duckweed is native to North America and grows in protected ditches, creeks, marshes, swamps and lakes. This species often occurs with giant duckweed and watermeal, forming thick mats that may occasionally prevent recreational use of reservoirs or clog water intakes. Several species of duckweed are found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in swamps, ponds and on surface mats of Eurasian watermilfoil in lakes and reservoirs. Duckweed is a good food source for many duck species.

Identifying Features

What It Looks Like—Individual duckweed plants have 1 to 3 tiny (less than 1/8 inch) leaves and one root per leaf.

Where to Find It—Duckweed prefers quiet backwater areas but will travel almost anywhere depending on wind direction and current.

Similar Species—Duckweed is similar to watermeal, but duckweed has a root (one per leaf, while watermeal has smaller leaves and no visible roots.

Drawbacks

Duckweed seldom produces any problems with water use on the reservoir level.

Shoreline Plants

Duckweed

Duckweed (Lemna minor), native, is also known as water lentils or water lenses. This plant floats on or near the water’s surface.

Duckweed

Description

Duckweed is a small, free-floating plant with flat, light green, leaf-like fronds. These oval or elliptical fronds are 1/10 to 1/8 inch long with one prominent root below. Fronds occur singly or in clusters of 2 to 4. They flower infrequently and the small flowers are rarely seen. Because the various species are difficult to distinguish, identification is usually only to the generic level.

Habitat

Duckweed is native to North America and grows in protected ditches, creeks, marshes, swamps and lakes. This species often occurs with giant duckweed and watermeal, forming thick mats that may occasionally prevent recreational use of reservoirs or clog water intakes. Several species of duckweed are found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in swamps, ponds and on surface mats of Eurasian watermilfoil in lakes and reservoirs. Duckweed is a good food source for many duck species.

Identifying Features

What It Looks Like—Individual duckweed plants have 1 to 3 tiny (less than 1/8 inch) leaves and one root per leaf.

Where to Find It—Duckweed prefers quiet backwater areas but will travel almost anywhere depending on wind direction and current.

Similar Species—Duckweed is similar to watermeal, but duckweed has a root (one per leaf, while watermeal has smaller leaves and no visible roots.

Drawbacks

Duckweed seldom produces any problems with water use on the reservoir level.

Submersed Plants

Duckweed

Duckweed (Lemna minor), native, is also known as water lentils or water lenses. This plant floats on or near the water’s surface.

Duckweed

Description

Duckweed is a small, free-floating plant with flat, light green, leaf-like fronds. These oval or elliptical fronds are 1/10 to 1/8 inch long with one prominent root below. Fronds occur singly or in clusters of 2 to 4. They flower infrequently and the small flowers are rarely seen. Because the various species are difficult to distinguish, identification is usually only to the generic level.

Habitat

Duckweed is native to North America and grows in protected ditches, creeks, marshes, swamps and lakes. This species often occurs with giant duckweed and watermeal, forming thick mats that may occasionally prevent recreational use of reservoirs or clog water intakes. Several species of duckweed are found throughout the Tennessee Valley region in swamps, ponds and on surface mats of Eurasian watermilfoil in lakes and reservoirs. Duckweed is a good food source for many duck species.

Identifying Features

What It Looks Like—Individual duckweed plants have 1 to 3 tiny (less than 1/8 inch) leaves and one root per leaf.

Where to Find It—Duckweed prefers quiet backwater areas but will travel almost anywhere depending on wind direction and current.

Similar Species—Duckweed is similar to watermeal, but duckweed has a root (one per leaf, while watermeal has smaller leaves and no visible roots.

Drawbacks

Duckweed seldom produces any problems with water use on the reservoir level.