Renovate OTF 10 Pound Pail

Alligatorweed is an emersed plant. It can grow in a variety of habitats, including dry land, but is usually found in water. It may form sprawling mats over the water or along shorelines. Alligatorweed stems are long branched, and hollow. Leaves are simple, elliptic, and have smooth margins. The leaves are the opposite. The whitish papery flowers grow on stalks. Alligatorweed flowers during the warm summer months.

Also known as: Green lead plan; pigweed

Floating leaves are circular, and are attached to stems that are anchored in the soil. The leaves create a bowl-like appearance and do not lay flat on the water surface. Yellow flowers emerge from the plant.

Bladderworts are submersed free-floating plants. There are about 200 species in the world, ranging in size from a few inches to several feet long. Tiny bladders attached to the leaves trap and digest very tiny animals. Utricularia species occurs almost always (estimated probability 99%) under natural conditions in wetlands. All bladderworts are rootless. They have main stems from which lacy, often complex leaves grow. Bladderwort flowers are usually bright yellow (but sometimes lavender, depending on species); the flowers have two "lip-like" petals of about equal size. Flowers are on long stalks that emerge several inches above the water. The carnivorous bladders are attached at regular intervals along the linear leaf segments.

Creeping water primrose is a perennial plant that stands erect along the shoreline but also forms long runners (up to 16 feet) that creep across wet soil or float out across the water surface. The leaves vary from green to red tinged. The plants flower yellow in all seasons except winter. The yellow flower is very distinctive of creeping water primrose. Flowers vary in size from 1 inch to 2 inches in diameter.

Eurasian watermilfoil is an exotic species. Its leaves are feather-like and sometimes produce reddish flowers that extend above the water. The stems are red to brown in color. It can dominate a pond very quickly by fragmentation. Pieces of the plant grow roots to develop a new plant. There are many native milfoil plants which do not have as many feather-like leaves and are much less aggressive.

Flowers of this plant are very small and white in color. Almost all plants of this species are female. Seeds are not produced in any North American plants. Parrotfeather reproduces asexually. New plants grow from fragments of already rooted plants. There is no real predator to the parrotfeather, so it grows out of control. While part of the milfoil family, it is easily distinquishable from other milfoils as it grows below and above the surface of the water.

The native pickerelweed is a very common emersed plant. It is a prolific grower and can cover large areas. Pickerelweed typically grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are large, up to five inches wide, and are usually twice as long. Leaf shapes are variable, but are usually lance-shaped. The easiest way to recognize pickerelweed is by its spike of violet-blue flowers. Each flower lasts only one day.

Smartweed is a perennial plant that forms dense colonies in shallow water or moist soils and can grow to 3 feet tall. Smartweed leaves are oblong, and stems are jointed. Leaves are arranged alternately upon the stem. Flowers are white or pink and are small. Smartweed may be emersed or submersed with only the flowers being displayed.

Variable-leaf watermilfoil has long stems with whorls of finely divided leaves. This milfoil is rooted in the bottom of water bodies and arise to the surface of the water. When they reach the water, the stems turn and grow horizontally. The submerged leaves are feather-like and occur in whorls of 4 - 6. They are 1 to 2 inches long. The emersed leaves are stiff, longer than wide and have serrated margins. The flowers are small and reddish. Variable-leaf watermilfoil can reproduce by seeds or fragmentation and is an aggressive invader. Because of its tremendous growth rate variable-leaf watermilfoil can completely take over shallow ponds.

Water chestnut is an annual, rooted aquatic plant with a leafy rosette that floats on the surface. Stems can reach up to 16 feet, supporting two types of leaves. Submersed leaves are feathery, whorled along the stem and up to 6 inches long. Leaves are triangular, 1 to 2 inches long, waxy and have toothed edges. Leaf stems have a bladder-like swelling that provides buoyancy. Flowers are small, white, have 4 petals and bloom from mid-July to fall frost. The fruit is a one-inch wide woody nut armed with 4 stout barbs. The sharp barbs are a painful hazard to swimmers and bare feet.

Water shield is a rooted plant with floating oval or round shaped leaves that are a vibrant green on top with purple to red undersides. Small purple or pink flowers extend on a long stalk above the water. Water shield is also commonly called “snot grass,” due to the unusual and distinctive gelatinous or slimy covering on its roots and stems.

The white water lily is a perennial plant that often forms dense colonies. Water lily is one of the most recognizable floating aquatic plants. Sold as decorative plants for ponds and water gardens, this species can spread rapidly if left unmanaged. It is a rooted, emersed plant with large, notched, plate-like leaves with flowers that are white. The flowers may float or stick above the water and each opens in the morning and closes in the afternoon. The flowers are very fragrant.

Yellow water lilies are perennial plants that arise on flexible stalks from rhizomes and large fleshy roots that can resemble bananas. Leaves are oval heart-shape, 3 to 6 inches in diameter, shiny dark green on top and reddish-purple underneath. Leaves float on the surface and are seldom emergent. Flowers are large (2 1/2 to 4 inches) bright yellow and usually stand above the water on separate stalks.