Lake plants
can help nourish animal life, oxygenate water and provide food.
Aquatic plants help contribute to a healthy lake ecosystem. Benefits of lake plants include a source of food, nesting and refuge for fish, birds, amphibians, mammals and insects. Lake plants can clarify water and absorb nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen to reduce risk of nuisance algae. An invasive species that develops as a dominant plant can crowd out native plants and restrict a lake's bio-diversity.
European Frog-Bit
European frog-bit, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, belongs to the family Hydrochariticeae. This annual herbaceous plant originated in Europe and Asia. Introduced in the 1930s at Ottawa's Central Experimental Farm, European frog-bit escaped and has since spread as an invasive species to such habitats as Lake Ontario and Erie and Lake Champlain. This aquatic plant prefers calcium-rich water and rapidly produces in size. Dense mats can block sunlight from plants below and restrict the movement of large fish and waterfowl. Negative impact in extreme cases includes crowding native vegetation and limiting bio-diversity, according to the Invading Species web site. As the European frog-bit decomposes in fall, the dissolved oxygen levels deplete and can kill fish and other organisms. European frog-bit produces a single white flower with three rounded petals that resemble a miniature water lily. The leathery leaves appear round or heart-shaped with veins on the top and a purple-red coating underneath. The roots, which do not anchor the plant, measure approximately 4 to 8 inches. Benefits of European frog-bit include a food source for certain fish, waterfowl and insects.
Parrotfeather
Parrotfeather, Myriophyllum aquaticum, originated in South America's Amazon River. Introduced for indoor and outdoor aquaria, parrotfeather has naturalized worldwide, including the southern U.S. and both coasts, according to the State of Washington. The delicate, bright-green leaves appear as whorls. Parrotfeather's deeply lobed leaves include 20 to 30 divisions per leaf. The submersed, robust stems can measure up to five feet long. Emergent leaves can grow erect and leafy at the top end to resemble a small fir tree. This perennial plant, attractive in aquatic gardens, blooms from spring to fall in warm water. Although a popular plant, parrotfeather as an invasive species poses a threat to lakes and streams. Impact includes shading out algae, a significant basis for the aquatic food web. Parrotfeather also provides a habitat for mosquito larvae.
Yellow Water Lily
The yellow water lily, Nuphar lutea, belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. Native to eastern U.S. Africa, Asia, West Indies and Europe, this perennial inhabits shallow lakes and ponds at low- to mid-elevations. Rubbery leaves measure 4 ot 18 inches long with an arrowhead or heart-shaped form. Thick stems up reach up to 2 yards in length and support the floating leaves and flowers. Showy, yellow flowers develop on individual stem stalks and measure approximately 1 to 4 inches across. This fragrant cup-shaped flower partially opens in the morning and closes and night. Also known as yellow pond lily, cow lily and spatterdock, this floating plant bears egg-shaped capsules.
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