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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
Salvinia, Giant
Salvinia, Giant (Salvinia molesta), is a non-native plant. In late spring, it can form floating mats. Giant salvinia thrives in calm, backwater areas.
Description
Giant salvinia is a free-floating aquatic fern with a horizontal rhizome that floats at or just below the water’s surface. A pair of fronds (leaves), ¾ to 1 inch long, are produced at each node along the rhizome. The fronds are bright green, oval, possess a central midrib and covered with numerous stiff, white hairs bound together in groups of four. Giant salvinia has no true roots. Underwater fronds act much like roots to take up nutrients from the water. Because giant salvinia is a fern, it does not produce flowers or seed and reproduces through spores or fragmentation.
Habitat
Giant salvinia is a non-native species introduced from South America. The species is prominent in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast but is not prevalent in the Tennessee Valley region. A few populations have been observed in the southernmost areas of the Tennessee Valley and rarely overwinter and are believed to be brought in through boat movement.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—A floating aquatic fern, giant salvinia can be identified by its floating cupped fronds which often appear hairy.
Where to Find It—This species thrives in calm, backwater areas but will begin to float throughout the reservoir with changing winds and currents.
Similar Species—Very similar to common salvinia but can be separated by an “egg-beater” shape to hairs within each frond. Common salvinia is somewhat smaller and hairs are “T”-shaped.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In late spring, existing plants can provide floating mats that can be targeted with flipping baits and jigs.
Summer—Giant salvinia will grow rapidly while weather is warm, forming dense colonies. Even heavy punching will do little to penetrate within salvinia. Some edge fishing may be available.
Fall—Plants introduced in summer will maximize colonization by vegetative reproduction of new plants. Remaining colonies can be penetrated in late fall as the plants begin to die.
Winter—Preferring warm water, this species will quickly die off in winter. Fishing benefit is negligible during this time.
Drawbacks
Although this species rarely overwinters in TVA systems, it could quickly become one of the most expensive species to manage if it becomes more tolerant of colder water. Management of giant salvinia in other areas has been extremely expensive.
Shoreline Plants
Salvinia, Giant
Salvinia, Giant (Salvinia molesta), is a non-native plant. In late spring, it can form floating mats. Giant salvinia thrives in calm, backwater areas.
Description
Giant salvinia is a free-floating aquatic fern with a horizontal rhizome that floats at or just below the water’s surface. A pair of fronds (leaves), ¾ to 1 inch long, are produced at each node along the rhizome. The fronds are bright green, oval, possess a central midrib and covered with numerous stiff, white hairs bound together in groups of four. Giant salvinia has no true roots. Underwater fronds act much like roots to take up nutrients from the water. Because giant salvinia is a fern, it does not produce flowers or seed and reproduces through spores or fragmentation.
Habitat
Giant salvinia is a non-native species introduced from South America. The species is prominent in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast but is not prevalent in the Tennessee Valley region. A few populations have been observed in the southernmost areas of the Tennessee Valley and rarely overwinter and are believed to be brought in through boat movement.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—A floating aquatic fern, giant salvinia can be identified by its floating cupped fronds which often appear hairy.
Where to Find It—This species thrives in calm, backwater areas but will begin to float throughout the reservoir with changing winds and currents.
Similar Species—Very similar to common salvinia but can be separated by an “egg-beater” shape to hairs within each frond. Common salvinia is somewhat smaller and hairs are “T”-shaped.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In late spring, existing plants can provide floating mats that can be targeted with flipping baits and jigs.
Summer—Giant salvinia will grow rapidly while weather is warm, forming dense colonies. Even heavy punching will do little to penetrate within salvinia. Some edge fishing may be available.
Fall—Plants introduced in summer will maximize colonization by vegetative reproduction of new plants. Remaining colonies can be penetrated in late fall as the plants begin to die.
Winter—Preferring warm water, this species will quickly die off in winter. Fishing benefit is negligible during this time.
Drawbacks
Although this species rarely overwinters in TVA systems, it could quickly become one of the most expensive species to manage if it becomes more tolerant of colder water. Management of giant salvinia in other areas has been extremely expensive.
Submersed Plants
Salvinia, Giant
Salvinia, Giant (Salvinia molesta), is a non-native plant. In late spring, it can form floating mats. Giant salvinia thrives in calm, backwater areas.
Description
Giant salvinia is a free-floating aquatic fern with a horizontal rhizome that floats at or just below the water’s surface. A pair of fronds (leaves), ¾ to 1 inch long, are produced at each node along the rhizome. The fronds are bright green, oval, possess a central midrib and covered with numerous stiff, white hairs bound together in groups of four. Giant salvinia has no true roots. Underwater fronds act much like roots to take up nutrients from the water. Because giant salvinia is a fern, it does not produce flowers or seed and reproduces through spores or fragmentation.
Habitat
Giant salvinia is a non-native species introduced from South America. The species is prominent in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast but is not prevalent in the Tennessee Valley region. A few populations have been observed in the southernmost areas of the Tennessee Valley and rarely overwinter and are believed to be brought in through boat movement.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—A floating aquatic fern, giant salvinia can be identified by its floating cupped fronds which often appear hairy.
Where to Find It—This species thrives in calm, backwater areas but will begin to float throughout the reservoir with changing winds and currents.
Similar Species—Very similar to common salvinia but can be separated by an “egg-beater” shape to hairs within each frond. Common salvinia is somewhat smaller and hairs are “T”-shaped.
Seasonal Fishing Techniques
Spring—In late spring, existing plants can provide floating mats that can be targeted with flipping baits and jigs.
Summer—Giant salvinia will grow rapidly while weather is warm, forming dense colonies. Even heavy punching will do little to penetrate within salvinia. Some edge fishing may be available.
Fall—Plants introduced in summer will maximize colonization by vegetative reproduction of new plants. Remaining colonies can be penetrated in late fall as the plants begin to die.
Winter—Preferring warm water, this species will quickly die off in winter. Fishing benefit is negligible during this time.
Drawbacks
Although this species rarely overwinters in TVA systems, it could quickly become one of the most expensive species to manage if it becomes more tolerant of colder water. Management of giant salvinia in other areas has been extremely expensive.