Aquatic Plants of Yankee Lake
by Georgia Rampe
There are a number of native aquatic plant species in Yankee Lake. Following is a short synopsis of the value of each plant, along with a photograph. Fortunately, we haven't found any invasive aquatic plants, although many neighboring lakes are experiencing invasion of non-indigenous aquatic plants.
Utricularia vulgaris
Common Bladderwort, Great Bladderwort
Bladderworts are carnivorous plants with delicate, finely-divided underwater leaves and emergent snapdragon-like yellow flowers. The most distinctive underwater features are the small bladder-like traps. These traps use a vacuum to capture small invertebrates or even tiny fish that trigger the trap door. Enzymes are secreted to digest the prey, which provides the plant with nutrients.
Bladderworts are food and cover for fish, muskrats and waterfowl. They also serve as habitat for aquatic invertebrates. The plant is free-floating (no roots), and provides food and habitat for fish where rooted plants are scarce.
Vallisneria americana
Wild Celery, Eel-Grass,
Tape-Grass
Tape grass is a submerged plant that spreads by runners and sometimes forms tall underwater meadows. Tape grass leaves arise in clusters from their roots. They are about one inch wide and can be several feet long. The leaves have rounded tips, and definite raised veins. Single white female flowers grow to the water surface on very long stalks. Tape grass fruit is a banana-like capsule having many tiny seeds. Eel grass is a dietary source for waterfowl. All portions of the plant are consumed by waterfowl. Plant beds provide good fish habitat, plus shade, shelter and feeding opportunities. [back to the top]
Potamogeton robbinsii
Fern Pondweed, Robbins Pondweed
Fern-leaf pondweed is a stiff, robust plant with underwater leaves only. It is usually easily recognized because its dark green, closely spaced leaves are arranged in a rigid, flattened spray, giving it a palm frond or fern-like appearance. Fern-leaf pondweed is usually a low-growing plant and only approaches the water surface when flowering. The flowering stalks have more widely spaced leaves that are less fan-like in appearance.
Seeds and vegetation provide food and cover for aquatic animals and waterfowl. Fern pondweed also provides habitat for invertebrates that are used as a food source by waterfowl. [back to the top]
Potamogeton amplifolius
Large-Leaf Pondweed, Bass Weed, Musky Weed
Big-leaf pondweed has two leaf types: large, usually wavy-edged underwater leaves which are curved into a banana shape, and oval, leathery floating leaves that grow on or near the water surface.
The underwater leaves often decay late in the growing season, making big-leaf pondweed easy to confuse with other floating-leaved pondweeds. The broad leaves provide shade, shelter and foraging opportunities for fish. Waterfowl feed on the large nutlets produced by this plant. [back to the top]
Elatine minima
Small Waterwort
A small, inconspicuous plant of muddy shores and very shallow waters. Distinguished from other small, inconspicuous shoreline plants by its opposite leaves with small, membranous stipules in the leaf axils. Distribution is from Newfoundland to Ontario and Minnesota, south to Maryland and Virginia. Lives in shallow water and wet shores along lakes and ponds, usually where sandy or mucky. Hardy to USDA Zone 3 (average minimum annual temperature -40ºF) This tiny plant serves as a source of food for a variety of ducks. Waterwort is also used by young fish and zooplankton as a habitat. [back to the top]
Nuphar variegata
Spatterdock, Yellow Water-Lily, Yellow Pond-Lily, Bullhead Pond-Lily
Found in shallow water communities; provides food and shade for many inhabitants. [back to the top]
Elodea canadensis
Common Waterweed, American Waterweed, Elodea
American waterweed lives entirely underwater with the exception of small white flowers which bloom at the surface and are attached to the plant by delicate stalks. It produces winter buds from the stem tips which over winter on the lake bottom. It also often over winters as an evergreen plant in mild climates. In the fall leafy stalks will detach from the parent plant, float away, root, and start new plants.
Silty sediments and water rich in nutrients favor the growth of American waterweed. In nutrient-rich lakes, it is sometimes perceived as a nuisance. It will grow in a wide range of conditions, from very shallow to deep water, and in many sediment types. It can even continue to grow unrooted, as floating fragments. It is found throughout North America.
American waterweed is an important part of lake ecosystems. It provides good habitat for many aquatic invertebrates and cover for young fish and amphibians. Waterfowl, especially ducks, as well as beaver and muskrat eat this plant. Also, it is of economic importance as an attractive and easy to keep aquarium plant. [back to the top]
Nymphaea odorata
American White Water Lily, American White Water Lily, Fragrant Water Lily,
Fragrant White Water Lily, White Water Lily, White Water Lily
A floating aquatic plant with large, fragrant, white flowers and flat, round, floating leaves. The leaves have long stems and are bright green above and reddish or purplish underneath, almost round. They are narrowly and deeply cut almost to the center, where the stem is attached. They are up to 10 inches across, floating on the surface of the water or just beneath. There is 1 flower to a stem, white, fragrant, 2 – 6 inches across, and floating on the water. Flowers open in the early morning and close about noon. There are 4 sepals and many rows of white petals, often more than 25, which are 3/4 – 4 inches long, thick, and pointed at the tip. There are more than 70 stamens. The outer ones are large and petal-like; they become smaller toward the center.
One of the most common white water lilies, fragrant water lily flowers and leaves float on the water. They usually flower only from early morning until noon. The leaves provide shade and shelter for fish. Waterfowl eat the seeds. The stems (rhizomes) are eaten by deer, muskrat and beaver. [back to the top]
