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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
Fragrant Waterlily
In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted fragrant waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), a native plant, can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area.
Description
Fragrant waterlily is a floating-leaved perennial. Its long, thick rhizomes send out roots from their lower surfaces and long leaf stalks from their tops. The leaves are round, approximately 8 to12 inches in diameter, with a single cleft from the leaf edge to the centrally attached stalk. The solitary, fragrant white flowers are borne at the water’s surface or slightly above it on a single straight stalk. Numerous ornamental varieties with different colored petals have been developed. Flowers can be up to 12 inches in diameter and have 17 to 32 petals. The four sepals are purple on the back, and there are numerous yellow stamens and several pistils.
Habitat Value
Fragrant waterlily is native to the eastern United States, found in ponds, lakes and slow streams throughout the country. Waterfowl eat the seeds, but this plant is not considered an important food source for them. Fragrant waterlily occurs in scattered localities in the Tennessee Valley region, growing both naturally and as an ornamental plant in pools and ponds.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fragrant waterlily is easily identified by its round leaves with pie-shaped notches and its showy, fragrant white or pink flowers. The sweet smell of fragrant waterlily can often be detected hundreds of yards away when the plants are in full bloom.
Where to Find It—You can find fragrant waterlily in nearshore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Fragrant waterlily can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like American Lotus, spatterdock and watershield. However, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf on the water surface and often has a white or pink flower, whereas American lotus has no notch on the leaves and leaves extending out of the water. Spatterdock has a less pronounced notch and yellow flowers and watershield has less noticeable flowers and much smaller, oval-shaped leaves.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted waterlily can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area. Fish soft plastics or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps.
Summer—During summer, waterlily grows rapidly and begins flowering. Fragrant waterlily provides an excellent opportunity for flipping and punching in summer. If plants are spread out, try enticing a topwater bite by bumping a plastic frog on and off of pads.
Fall—In fall, fragrant waterlily begins to decay and die off with cooler water temperatures. As leaves begin to decay, they leave behind submersed stems which can provide the perfect option for a swimbait or other weedless soft plastic.
Winter—Fragrant waterlily overwinters as a rhizome. Very little will remain through winter so this species should not be targeted again until the following spring.
Drawbacks
Fragrant waterlily can sometimes cause water use issues, especially for boating and swimming, and sometimes requires management.
Shoreline Plants
Fragrant Waterlily
In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted fragrant waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), a native plant, can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area.
Description
Fragrant waterlily is a floating-leaved perennial. Its long, thick rhizomes send out roots from their lower surfaces and long leaf stalks from their tops. The leaves are round, approximately 8 to12 inches in diameter, with a single cleft from the leaf edge to the centrally attached stalk. The solitary, fragrant white flowers are borne at the water’s surface or slightly above it on a single straight stalk. Numerous ornamental varieties with different colored petals have been developed. Flowers can be up to 12 inches in diameter and have 17 to 32 petals. The four sepals are purple on the back, and there are numerous yellow stamens and several pistils.
Habitat Value
Fragrant waterlily is native to the eastern United States, found in ponds, lakes and slow streams throughout the country. Waterfowl eat the seeds, but this plant is not considered an important food source for them. Fragrant waterlily occurs in scattered localities in the Tennessee Valley region, growing both naturally and as an ornamental plant in pools and ponds.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fragrant waterlily is easily identified by its round leaves with pie-shaped notches and its showy, fragrant white or pink flowers. The sweet smell of fragrant waterlily can often be detected hundreds of yards away when the plants are in full bloom.
Where to Find It—You can find fragrant waterlily in nearshore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Fragrant waterlily can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like American Lotus, spatterdock and watershield. However, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf on the water surface and often has a white or pink flower, whereas American lotus has no notch on the leaves and leaves extending out of the water. Spatterdock has a less pronounced notch and yellow flowers and watershield has less noticeable flowers and much smaller, oval-shaped leaves.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted waterlily can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area. Fish soft plastics or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps.
Summer—During summer, waterlily grows rapidly and begins flowering. Fragrant waterlily provides an excellent opportunity for flipping and punching in summer. If plants are spread out, try enticing a topwater bite by bumping a plastic frog on and off of pads.
Fall—In fall, fragrant waterlily begins to decay and die off with cooler water temperatures. As leaves begin to decay, they leave behind submersed stems which can provide the perfect option for a swimbait or other weedless soft plastic.
Winter—Fragrant waterlily overwinters as a rhizome. Very little will remain through winter so this species should not be targeted again until the following spring.
Drawbacks
Fragrant waterlily can sometimes cause water use issues, especially for boating and swimming, and sometimes requires management.
Submersed Plants
Fragrant Waterlily
In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted fragrant waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), a native plant, can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area.
Description
Fragrant waterlily is a floating-leaved perennial. Its long, thick rhizomes send out roots from their lower surfaces and long leaf stalks from their tops. The leaves are round, approximately 8 to12 inches in diameter, with a single cleft from the leaf edge to the centrally attached stalk. The solitary, fragrant white flowers are borne at the water’s surface or slightly above it on a single straight stalk. Numerous ornamental varieties with different colored petals have been developed. Flowers can be up to 12 inches in diameter and have 17 to 32 petals. The four sepals are purple on the back, and there are numerous yellow stamens and several pistils.
Habitat Value
Fragrant waterlily is native to the eastern United States, found in ponds, lakes and slow streams throughout the country. Waterfowl eat the seeds, but this plant is not considered an important food source for them. Fragrant waterlily occurs in scattered localities in the Tennessee Valley region, growing both naturally and as an ornamental plant in pools and ponds.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Fragrant waterlily is easily identified by its round leaves with pie-shaped notches and its showy, fragrant white or pink flowers. The sweet smell of fragrant waterlily can often be detected hundreds of yards away when the plants are in full bloom.
Where to Find It—You can find fragrant waterlily in nearshore areas where nutrients are readily available.
Max Depth—0 to 5 feet
Similar Species—Fragrant waterlily can sometimes resemble other floating leaved plants, like American Lotus, spatterdock and watershield. However, waterlily has a distinct pie-shaped cut in the round leaf on the water surface and often has a white or pink flower, whereas American lotus has no notch on the leaves and leaves extending out of the water. Spatterdock has a less pronounced notch and yellow flowers and watershield has less noticeable flowers and much smaller, oval-shaped leaves.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In early spring, patches of freshly sprouted waterlily can be some of the only vegetation actively growing in the area. Fish soft plastics or a swim jig around these isolated vegetation clumps.
Summer—During summer, waterlily grows rapidly and begins flowering. Fragrant waterlily provides an excellent opportunity for flipping and punching in summer. If plants are spread out, try enticing a topwater bite by bumping a plastic frog on and off of pads.
Fall—In fall, fragrant waterlily begins to decay and die off with cooler water temperatures. As leaves begin to decay, they leave behind submersed stems which can provide the perfect option for a swimbait or other weedless soft plastic.
Winter—Fragrant waterlily overwinters as a rhizome. Very little will remain through winter so this species should not be targeted again until the following spring.
Drawbacks
Fragrant waterlily can sometimes cause water use issues, especially for boating and swimming, and sometimes requires management.