Zebra Mussel (Dreissena polymorphais)
The Zebra Mussel (
Dreissena polymorphais) a small, nonnative
mussel originally found in Russia. Zebra mussels grow to about 2
inches in size. They can usually be identified by striping on their
shells, although this pattern varies greatly to the point that some
shells have little if any noticeable striping. Young zebra mussels
are microscopic in size and are spread easily by water
currents.
Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, Eurasian Watermilfoil
(
Myriophyllum spicatum) is a very aggressive exotic and as
since found its way into virtually every U.S. state and three
Canadian provinces. Its items are usually 3 to 10 feet in length,
often forming dense mats on the surface. Its bright green feathery
leaves are finely divided and occur in whorls (circles) around the
stems. Each leaf has 12-21 leaflet pairs (native northern milfoil
has 5-10 leaflet pairs). Eurasian Watermilfoil can spread by both
seed and, most commonly, by plant fragments.
Water Chestnut (Trapa natansis)
Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, Water Chestnut (
Trapa
natansis) is an annual aquatic plant with a long flexible stem
that can reach 12 to 15 feet in length. On the water's surface, the
plant contains a circular cluster of sawtoothed edged, triangular
floating leaves that are connected to an inflated petiole
(bladder), which provides added buoyancy. Feather-like leaves can
be found along the long submerged stem. The fruit is a nut with
four 1/2-inch, barbed spines that can cause a painful wound if
stepped on. Seeds can remain viable for up to 12 years. Water
chestnut can be spread from the rosette and fruits detaching from
the stem and floating to another area, or by fruits clinging to
objects, birds and other animals.
Carolina Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana)
Native to South America and the southern United States, Carolina
Fanwort (
Cabomba caroliniana) has spread throughout the U.S.
It is a perennial aquatic plant with a long stem that can appear
tubular. It has fan-like leaves with a short stem and finely
dissected divisions that are arranged opposite of each other on the
stem. Plants have white to light pink flowers that float on the
surface. Fanwort primarily spreads through fragments that break off
from the plant as it becomes brittle later in the growing
season.
Curly-leaf Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus)
Curly-leaf Pondweed (
Potamogeton crispus) is native to
Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. The leaves are reddish
brown/green, oblong, about 3 inches long, somewhat stiff and
crinkled, with finely-toothed edges. The stem is fl at,
reddish-brown and grows 1 to 3 foot long. The plant usually dies
off by mid-summer. Though it can reproduce by seed, it primarily
spreads through burr-like winter buds (turions) which break off
from the plant. New plants grow under the ice in winter, giving it
a head start over other native aquatic plants.
The information posted above can be found on the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation's Website. According to
the latest CSLAP reports on Babcock Lake, the nonnative, invasive
Zebra Mussel (
Dreissena polymorphais) and Eurasian
Watermilfoil (
Myriophyllum spicatum) are two primary and
real concerns for Babcock Lake. If you have identified any one of
these species posted above, please let us know, due to the fact
that they can effect our lakes ecosystem.
____________________________________________________________________
True Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis scorpioides)
The True Forget-Me-Not
(Myosotis scorpioides) is a
non-native wetland plant species often seen in various anaerobic
areas around Babcock Lake. The regional indicator status of this
invasive species is classified as OBL (Obligate). This beautiful
herbaceous plant grows best within inudated areas and wetland
habitats. An obligate species like this one grows almost always in
wetlands under natural conditions, about 99% of the time. The
photograph of these True Forget-Me-Knot's is provided by Constance
Barrett.
