Invasive Aquatic Plants

Curley-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton Crispus L)

Curly-leaf pondweed is a rooted, submersed aquatic plant. Its coloration varies from olive-green to reddish-brown.

Curly-leaf pondweed impacts:

Dense mats at the water’s surface inhibit water recreationists.
Overtakes habitat and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity.
Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native animals.
Midsummer die-offs can litter the shoreline with dead plants.

Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum)

This species has not been confirmed in Ramsey as of January 2010.
Eurasian watermilfoil is a rooted, submerged aquatic plant. The leaves appear green, while the stems are white to reddish.

Eurasian watermilfoil impacts:

Dense mats at the water’s surface inhibit water recreationists.
Overtakes habitats and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially reducing diversity.
Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native animals.

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria)

Purple loosestrife is a wetland plant with showy purple flowers arranged on flower spikes.

Purple loosestrife impacts:

Dense growth along shoreland areas makes it challenging to access open water.
Overtakes habitats and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially reducing diversity.
Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native animals.
Dense root systems change the hydrology of wetlands.