Adirondack Park - Eagle Lake Property Owner's Inc.

Curlyleaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
While some pondweeds (genus Potamogeton) are native, curlyleaf pondweed is a submerged
aquatic plant from Europe, apparently introduced to the U.S. in the 1800’s. It somewhat
resembles the numerous native pondweeds present in Adirondack waters. Curlyleaf pondweed is
the only pondweed that has leaves with toothed, jagged edges. Leaves are alternating, reddishgreen,
and stiff. Their wavy edges resemble lasagna noodles. The stems are branched and
somewhat flattened. Curlyleaf pondweed produces overwintering buds called turions. They look
like miniature floral arrangements and are hard and prickly. Curlyleaf pondweed exhibits rapid
early season growth giving it a competitive advantage over native plants.
(info at http://www.adkinvasives.com/Aquatic/PlantID/Pondweed.html)
Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
Fanwort a native to the southeastern U.S., but has invaded ponds, lakes and quite streams in the
northeast, including four lakes in the southwestern Adirondacks. As with other non-native
aquatics, it likely spread via aquarium releases. Like Eurasian milfoil, this pest can re-grow from
fragments. This submersed macrophyte have both submersed and floating leaves of different
shapes. Fanwort generally grows in three to ten feet of water, however, in the Adirondacks, it
grows in much deeper water, suggesting it is highly adaptable to environments outside its normal
range.(from:http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/cacapic.htmland
http://www.adkinvasives.com/Aquatic/PlantID/Fanwort.html)
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Japanese knotweed, a semi-woody perennial plant, was likely introduced to the United States
from eastern Asia as an ornamental in the late 1800s. While technically a terrestrial species,
Japanese knotweed is commonly found around water sources and has become a dominant species
along substantial stretches of rivers and streams throughout much of the Lake Champlain Basin.
It also invades wetland areas (Shaw and Seiger, 2002). It spreads quickly, forming dense thickets
in early spring that prevent the growth of native species and are of little value to wildlife. Annual
die off of the plant leaves river and stream banks vulnerable to erosion. The plant’s spread is
facilitated by flooding and the downstream flow of rivers. Japanese knotweed is a difficult plant
to control due to its ability to reproduce both vegetatively and from seeds. Mechanical and
chemical methods are most commonly used to eliminate it. Single young plants can sometimes
be pulled by hand, but all roots and runners must be removed to prevent re-sprouting. The
application of an herbicide to freshly cut stems has proven effective. The Adirondack Park
Invasive Plant Program is coordinating a Japanese knotweed management program within the
Adirondack Park.
Water chestnut (Trapa natans)
Water chestnut, an annual aquatic plant native of Europe, Asia, and Africa was first documented
in Lake Champlain in the early 1940s in shallow bays in the southern end on both the Vermont
and New York shores. It is generally assumed that water chestnut seeds hitchhiked to Lake
Champlain on boats traveling through the Champlain Barge Canal from the Mohawk or Hudson
River where it had been previously established (Countryman, 1970). Water chestnut displaces
other aquatic plant species, is of little food value to wildlife, and forms dense mats that alter
habitat and interfere with recreational activities. Currently, extensive growth of water chestnut in
southern Lake Champlain severely restricts boat traffic and other recreational uses. Populations
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