Flowering Aquatic Plants

Question 1

Four stages of development for flowering plants

Answer 1

1. Seedling
2. Vegetative
3. Reproductive
4. Mature

Question 2

Annual

Answer 2

Plants that complete all stages of development in one season

Question 3

Perennial

Answer 3

Plants that complete all four growth stages in the first year and then repeat the vegetative, reproductive, and mature stages during the following year.

Question 4

Biennial

Answer 4

Plants that complete their life cycle in two years- seedling and vegetative stage in year 1 and reproductive and mature stages in year 2.

Question 5

Seeds

Answer 5

Small reproductive structures formed by some flowering plants. Seeds can be dispersed over long distances, withstand harsh conditions, and many can be produced by one plant.

Question 6

Fragmentation

Answer 6

When a small piece of a flowering plant breaks off, is moved to a new location, and grows into a new plant.

Question 7

Tubers

Answer 7

A small, fleshy structure like a potato, that grows into a root or rhizome, usually underground. When the tuber breaks away from the root or rhizome it can form a new plant. Tubers store large amounts of nutrients.

Question 8

Turions

Answer 8

A thick bud that grows at the base of a leaf. The bud can break off, float away, and form a new plant. Usually produced in the winter.

Question 9

American Eelgrass

Answer 9

A submersed, rooted aquatic plant that is found in lakes, ponds, and slow rivers. Eelshrass has long, ribbonlike leaves that rise from the base of the plant, resembling eels. Seldom a problem in VA and is sometimes planted to attract waterfowl.

Question 10

Brazilian Elodea

Answer 10

Submerses, rooted perennial found at the bottom of lakes or floating freely on the surface. It has thin stems that branch where there’s two nodes close together along the stem- fragments containing these double nodes form a new plant. Can spread very fast and form dense mats that choke out other plants.

Question 11

Canadian elodea

Answer 11

Looks very similar to Brazilian Elodea but only grows in flowing water. Rarely an issue in VA.

Question 12

Coontail

Answer 12

Rootless, annual submersed plant that grows in quiet, clear water up to 20 feet deep. Grows up to 15 feet long and is rarely a problem in VA. Whorls resemble a raccoons tail.

Question 13

Fanwort

Answer 13

Submersed annual plant with fanlike leaves. Rarely causes problems in VA.often confused with Chara but does not smell like garlic when crushed.

Question 14

Hydrilla

Answer 14

Submersed perennial with long stems that emerge from a network of rhizomes. Can adapt to a wide range of pH and temperature levels. Highly invasive and outcompetes many other aquatic plants. Reproduces with turions and tubers; thick mats reduce oxygen levels in the water .

Question 15

Naiad

Answer 15

Submersed annual plant with long, branched stems that grow several feet in length. Often beneficial on the bottom of water bodies but problematic when they grow to the surface. Hardy seeds allow plant to survive fluctuating water temperature levels.

Question 16

Parrot feather

Answer 16

Submersed perennial where most of the plant is submersed, although the main branches often extend above the water surface. Has pale green, feathery leaves (often confused with Chara). Grows in late fall, winter, and early spring. Large surface mats hinder swimming, boating, etc.

Question 17

Pondweed

Answer 17

Submersed perennial, Diverse group of aquatic plants where identifying features are difficult to distinguish between species. Water depth, speed of current, temperature, clarity, climate, and nutrients influence the growth and appearance.

Question 18

Watermillfoil

Answer 18

Perennial that grows submersed or at the surface. Leaves have a feather like appearance, sometimes whorls of four flowers grow on emerged spikes. Problematic because it can grow in shallow and deep water, spreads rapidly.

Question 19

American Lotus

Answer 19

Floating perennial found in slow moving water such as lakes or ponds. Typically see one floating leaf that is not clefted and is green on both sides. Native and not normally a nuisance. Often confused with water lily.

Question 20

Azolla

Answer 20

Aquatic fern that grows in swamps lakes ponds and ditches along the coast. Easy to confuse with duckweed and watermeal. Exotic in Virginia and can grow in large masses very quickly. Stressed plants have red or purple leaves.

Question 21

Bladderwort

Answer 21

Submersed or emerged free-floating perennial that lacks true roots and have bladder like structures on the leaves that capture small aquatic animals. Native and causes few problems.

Question 22

Duckweed

Answer 22

Tiny, green, floating perennial often mistaken for algae. Flat, oval, leaf-like structures called fronds float on the surface with small roots extending from the underside. Native but can form layer several inches thick and shade out larger plants. Food for fish and waterfowl.

Question 23

Water hyacinth

Answer 23

Showy, floating perennial with distinct purple flower and black feathery roots just below the surface. Rare in VA but exotic and can cause problems.

Question 24

Water lily

Answer 24

Floating perennial plants with “lily pads” spreading horizontally across the surface. Cleft runs from center to the edge of each leaf. Native and best to leave alone- food for waterfowl (seeds) and cover for fish.

Question 25

Watermeal

Answer 25

Smallest flowering plant known in the world. Often grows with duckweed and often appear as green specks or dots in the water. Native to VA but can grow very fast and sometimes shade out larger plants.

Question 26

Water shield

Answer 26

Rooted, floating perennial that resembles water lily. Ocular leaves float on the surface where petiole attaches to the middle of the leaf. Native to VA and rarely causes problems.

Question 27

Alligatorweed

Answer 27

Floating or emerged perennial that grows anywhere that moist and wet conditions persist year round. Unique appearance with whitish, scaly flowers in a round head at the end of a stalk, introduced from South America and can choke out native vegetation when large, dense mats form.

Question 28

Bulrush

Answer 28

Emergent annual/perennial (depending on species) that grows in clumps. Height ranges from 2 inches to 6 ft. Valuable plant who’s triangular shaped stems survive in winter and provide cover for spawning fish and seeds that attract birds. Brownish clusters of flowers in summer

Question 29

Cattail

Answer 29

Emerged perennial that is common and native. Distinct dark brown “spikes” on the top of the plant distinguish this highly-regarded wetland plant. Stabilizes banks, provides food and shelter for many species of wildlife.

Question 30

Phragmites

Answer 30

Perennial emerged grass that prefers brackish water and salt marshes. Thin but tall stems. At the top, a large, yellowish brown pinnacle of flowers forms midsummer to fall. Very difficult to control once established.

Question 31

Purple loosestrife

Answer 31

Erect perennial plat that grows in marshes and wetlands, reaching 2-7 ft tall. Lance shaped leaves with a heart shaped base. Easy to I’d when it blooms because it has numerous red-purple flowers in a slender spike at the top of the stem July-September. extremely invasive and should be reported to extension agent if found.

Question 32

Smartweed

Answer 32

Emersed perennial that Varies in size.clusters of whitish pink flowers grow at the tops of the stem. Presence of large cores (portion of petiole that wraps around stem) distinguishes from other species. Exotic and native but both can cause problems.

Question 33

Water primrose

Answer 33

Emersed plant that grows in shallow lakes and slow moving water. Flowers with 4-6 bright yellow petals arranged in a circle. Can grow in dense stands and cause problems.

Question 34

Name the three most troublesome submersed aquatic plants in VA;

Answer 34

Brazilian Elodea, hydrilla, and Eurasian watermillfoil

Question 35

Submersed aquatic plant that is an ANNUAL:

Answer 35

Naiad

Question 36

Floating plant also known as snot-bonnet:

Answer 36

Watershield.