Invasive Aquatic Plants of Texas

Water Hyacinth at Caddo Lake

Invasive Aquatic Plants

Invasive aquatic plants are a major problem in Texas.  My mom used to say that a weed was an unloved plant.  A weed is really just a plant that grows where you don't want it too.  However, an invasive plant is one that grows where you don't want it to and then it takes over.

Invasive aquatic plants have an number of things in common:

A.  They grow fast and cover large areas

B.   Reproduce from seeds, fragments, buds and shoots

C.  Survive in a variety of temperatures and light

D.  Difficult if not impossible to get rid of once they are established

E.   Most decrease oxygen in the water

F.   Invasive plants take over and the biodiversity of an ecosystem 

      decreases.

G.  Damage the economy of an area and are expensive to manage

H.   Destroy fish and wildlife habitat

 I.   Block navigation

J.   Reduce tourism and property values

K.  Stop fishing, boating and swimming



Texas parks and Wildlife Warning



Prevention

Is is easier to prevent an infestation than it is maintain it.  It is also cheaper.

Most of the invasive aquatic plants were brought into this country where intended for the aquarium trade.  They were pretty and they grow fast. Unfortunatly, what they did not have was predators to help keep them undercontrol.  With out insects, diseases or fish to help keep the plant populations down  they out compete our native Texas vegetation and create very expensive problems for our state, counties and cities.

DO NOT:

A.  put aquarium plants or fish into local lakes, rivers or wetlands
B.   leave a lake without cleaning your boat and trailer for plants or   
       organisms like Zebra Mussels. If you can power wash your boat
       and  railer with hot water and let it dry before moving to another
       lake.
C.   transport invasive aquatic plants from one area to another.





Zebra Mussel Warning Lake Lewisville, Texas

 DO:

Report invasive plants or organisms to your  local Texas, Parks and Wildlife office.  And yes the really, really want to know if you see them!