Aquatic Weed Control

Intro   |    Identifying Weeds   |   Controlling Weeds   |   List of Common Weeds   |   Control Methods

Identifying Weeds

Identifying a problem weed is the first step to controlling it. We have created an aquatic plant key as well as provided thumbnail photographs to assist you with weed identification. You can work through the key or glance through the thumbnail photos to identify a weed.

• Key to Common Aquatic Plants
• Common Aquatic Weeds of Mississippi
• Submitting A Sample

If you are unable to identify the weed through these methods, see the instructions for weed sample submission.

If you already know what the weed is, you may browse our list of common weeds for information on that plant.

Key to Common Aquatic Plants

This simplified key does not include all aquatic plants in Mississippi and is to be used to help you identify common problem aquatic plants only. You will be asked a series of questions about your unknown plant. Your answers to these questions will eventually provide you with the name of your weed and links to more information on this species as well as control methods for that plant. If you have trouble using the key or believe that the plant identification key has provided you with an incorrect identification for your aquatic plant, please consult your county agent for assistance.

What Does Your Plant Look Like?

Common Aquatic Weeds of Mississippi

Before browsing the thumbnail photos of common Mississippi aquatic plants, please select the category below in which your plant sample fits. These categories describe plant growth types. Read the growth type description to see where your sample fits and then click on that link to see images. This will help reduce the number of plant species you will examine. Click here to see a complete set of all common Mississippi aquatic plants.

Floating Plants: These plants are not attached to the bottom of the pond or lake. They may be as small as 1/4 of an inch to over a foot wide. Often, these plants will have roots that hang in the water. Some examples include duckweed and water hyacinth.

Submergent Plants: These plants are usually completely below the surface of the water, although sometimes a few inches of the top of the plant may be above-water. They are usually rooted to the soil, but may occasionally break free and form large floating, below-water mats. the stems and branches of these plants typically lack firmness. Some examples include coontail and bushy pondweed.

Emergent Plants: These plants are rooted to the pond bottom and the large majority of the plant extends above the surface of the water. Emergent plants are often found along the edges of the pond or along the bank/water interface. Some examples include cattails and spikerush.

Submitting A Sample

If you are unable to identify the weed using our aquatic vegetation key and thumbnail photos, contact your county Extension office and work with Extension personnel to obtain assistance from an area agent or state specialist. You will need to submit a plant sample to your county Extension office in a zip-lock plastic bag.

• The best samples include enough of the plant to reveal leaves, branches, roots, and flowers, if present.
• The sample should be wrapped in wet paper towels or newspaper and then sealed in a zip-lock bag or other waterproof container.
• Be sure to label the sample with your name, address, and telephone number.

If necessary, your county Extension personnel will submit the sample for identification to an area agent or state specialist in one of three ways.

1. A series of digital images taken with a digital camera can be e-mailed to an area agent or state specialist.
2. The plant will be blotted dry, laid out with branches and leaves spread, photocopied, and then this image will be faxed to the area agent or state specialist.
3. When the previous two methods fail to produce an identification, an actual sample of the plant will be mailed to the area agent or state specialist.