Aquatic Weed Control in Ponds - Aquaculture at Kentucky State ...

Figure 9. Bushy pondweed (Najas sp.) isa submersed aquatic plant.Potamogeton pectinatus (sagopondweed) – rooted, wholly submersedplants with long, narrow leaves taperingto a point. The stems are irregularly (andoften highly) branched (Figure 10).Figure 10. Sago pondweed(Potamogeton pectinatus) is a submersedplant with long ribbony leaves.Ceratophyllum demersum (coontail) –these plants have long thin stems whichare not rooted. The leaves are in whorlsand are forked (Figure 11).Figure 11. Coontail (Ceratophyllumdemersum) is a submersed aquatic plant.Photo from U. of Florida on the Internet.Emergent plants. Emergentaquatic plants are rooted in the bottommud and grow above the water. Manycan also grow under strictly terrestrialconditions. The plants are rigid and notdependent on the water for support.Emergent plants usually infest only thepond margins and other shallow areasresulting from inadequate pondconstruction, water-shortage conditions,or excessive bank erosion. If stands ofemergent plants become too dense orwidespread, they may interfere withfishing, seining or feeding of fish. Theycan also create a habitat that harborssnakes. Fast-growing emergent plantssuch as smartweed (Polygonumpennsylvanicum) inhabit shallow areasquickly and can often outpace the risingwater level when ponds fill slowly (e.g.during dry seasons or if only a slowflowingwell is available to fill thepond).The most common emergentweeds in ponds are:6