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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
Water Stargrass
Water Stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) Bright yellow star blooms just over the water surface make water stargrass easy to identify.
Description
Water stargrass is a submersed aquatic perennial that roots firmly in bottom sediment. It has long, slender, branched stems and alternate, linear leaves up to 8 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide, with no discernable central vein. A sheath-like structure with a pair of pointed lobes occurs at the base of each leaf. Its star-shaped, six-parted yellow flowers rise to the surface on stalks from the upper leaf axils. Viable seeds overwinter in the bottom sediment and germinate the following spring. Water stargrass also reproduces asexually, producing new plants from broken stem fragments.
Habitat
Water stargrass is native and widespread in the eastern and midwestern United States. Aside from providing a substrate for algae and some small invertebrates, this plant appears to have little value to fish or waterfowl. It is found throughout the middle and eastern sections of the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Water stargrass has long, slender, alternate leaves growing from a long stem. Once the plants reach the surface, small yellow flowers will cover the surface on stems 2 to 3 inches above the water.
Max Depth—14 feet
Where to Find It—Water stargrass can grow in shallow water, but dense colonies usually form in deeper water near channel areas.
Similar Species—Water stargrass is similar to slender pondweed in description but is a larger and more robust plant with an emergent yellow flower.
Drawbacks
Water stargrass can impact water use in some areas and is a difficult plant to treat.
Shoreline Plants
Water Stargrass
Water Stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) Bright yellow star blooms just over the water surface make water stargrass easy to identify.
Description
Water stargrass is a submersed aquatic perennial that roots firmly in bottom sediment. It has long, slender, branched stems and alternate, linear leaves up to 8 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide, with no discernable central vein. A sheath-like structure with a pair of pointed lobes occurs at the base of each leaf. Its star-shaped, six-parted yellow flowers rise to the surface on stalks from the upper leaf axils. Viable seeds overwinter in the bottom sediment and germinate the following spring. Water stargrass also reproduces asexually, producing new plants from broken stem fragments.
Habitat
Water stargrass is native and widespread in the eastern and midwestern United States. Aside from providing a substrate for algae and some small invertebrates, this plant appears to have little value to fish or waterfowl. It is found throughout the middle and eastern sections of the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Water stargrass has long, slender, alternate leaves growing from a long stem. Once the plants reach the surface, small yellow flowers will cover the surface on stems 2 to 3 inches above the water.
Max Depth—14 feet
Where to Find It—Water stargrass can grow in shallow water, but dense colonies usually form in deeper water near channel areas.
Similar Species—Water stargrass is similar to slender pondweed in description but is a larger and more robust plant with an emergent yellow flower.
Drawbacks
Water stargrass can impact water use in some areas and is a difficult plant to treat.
Submersed Plants
Water Stargrass
Water Stargrass (Heteranthera dubia) Bright yellow star blooms just over the water surface make water stargrass easy to identify.
Description
Water stargrass is a submersed aquatic perennial that roots firmly in bottom sediment. It has long, slender, branched stems and alternate, linear leaves up to 8 inches long and less than ¼ inch wide, with no discernable central vein. A sheath-like structure with a pair of pointed lobes occurs at the base of each leaf. Its star-shaped, six-parted yellow flowers rise to the surface on stalks from the upper leaf axils. Viable seeds overwinter in the bottom sediment and germinate the following spring. Water stargrass also reproduces asexually, producing new plants from broken stem fragments.
Habitat
Water stargrass is native and widespread in the eastern and midwestern United States. Aside from providing a substrate for algae and some small invertebrates, this plant appears to have little value to fish or waterfowl. It is found throughout the middle and eastern sections of the Tennessee Valley region.
Identifying Features
What It Looks Like—Water stargrass has long, slender, alternate leaves growing from a long stem. Once the plants reach the surface, small yellow flowers will cover the surface on stems 2 to 3 inches above the water.
Max Depth—14 feet
Where to Find It—Water stargrass can grow in shallow water, but dense colonies usually form in deeper water near channel areas.
Similar Species—Water stargrass is similar to slender pondweed in description but is a larger and more robust plant with an emergent yellow flower.
Drawbacks
Water stargrass can impact water use in some areas and is a difficult plant to treat.