Naiads

The stems of naiad species are very long and have many branches. All naiad plants have narrow, inch-long leaves that have very tiny teeth on their margins. Southern naiad leaves are less than 1/16 inch wide. Naiad leaves are arranged oppositely on the stem, or sometimes in whorls of three and are a deep green to purplish-green hue. The flowers are very small and inconspicuous. The plants have "runner” stems that attach all plants together allowing them to spread rapidly.

Impact

  • 1

    Recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and boating can be impaired and even prevented.

  • 2

    Dense mats of Aquatic weeds can block sunlight from native submerged plants.

  • 3

    Aquatic weeds greatly detract from the aesthetic appeal of a body of water.

  • 4

    Excessive growth can lead to fish stunting and overpopulation. This occurs because the production of too much habitat prevents effective feeding of small fish by larger fish.

  • 5

    Aquatic weeds can cause fish kills.

  • 6

    Aquatic weed growth provides quiet water areas ideal for mosquito breeding.

  • 7

    Weeds impede water flow in drainage ditches, irrigation canals, and culverts and cause water to back up.

Location

Naiads can be found in most of the contiguous states.

Solutions

  • BEST SOLUTION