LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently confirmed that multiple instances of one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants, has found its home in Michigan ponds for the first time ever. 

“It’s not clear how either plant made its way to this pond, but seeds or fragments of the invasive plants may have been attached to ornamental plants installed in past years,” said Bill Keiper, EGLE aquatic biologist. “Sediment core samples of the pond and genetic analysis of the plant material are planned to help determine how long the hydrilla has been here and where in the U.S. it might have originated.”

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While the plant has only been discovered in two nearby private ponds so far, EGLE has taken immediate action by surveying nearby ponds, a receiving stream, and the St. Joseph River. The short term response entails using herbicide treatments for infested ponds, while a response plan will focus on preventing the spread of the plant past its current location with the ultimate goal of eradication according to EGLE. 

According to Joanne Foreman, Invasive Species Communications Coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the plant can reproduce in several ways. 

“Hydrilla can reproduce in four ways: tubers, turions, fragmentation, and seeds,” Foreman said in an email to Michigan News Source, “The first three mechanisms are asexual and are the primary means by which hydrilla expands into new environments and regrows after exposure to adverse environmental conditions.”

The plant, which has not before ever been found in Michigan according to Foreman, has the ability to grow quickly which contributes to it forming dense mats in the water which “shade out native aquatic vegetation and alter the ecology of the water body.” 

“Hydrilla can photosynthesize and grow under low light levels, giving it a competitive advantage over other aquatic plants in the same environment,” she said in the email, “Hydrilla grows rapidly compared with many native aquatic plants, allowing it to displace native species.” 

But the concerns also extend to potential human impact and accidental help in spreading the plant, with more details provided by the Michigan State Extension.  Dr. Jo Latimore, Aquatic Ecologist and Outreach Specialist, for Michigan State University expanded on some of the concerns in an email to Michigan News Source. 

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“Boaters should make a habit to always Clean, Drain, and Dry, as described in the article linked [above],” Dr. Latimore said in the email. “A Hydrilla can easily spread by fragments that may be snagged on boat propellers, trailers, and recreational gear.” 

Latimore also mentioned that the plant is “well-established in Ohio, and Indiana has invested over $1M in fighting an invasion in a single lake in the northern part of the state.”  

She also mentioned that Hydrilla could be described as “Eurasian watermilfoil on steroids.” 

“It’s the aquatic plant we never wanted to find in Michigan,” Latimore said in the email, “I’m hopeful that because this invasion is in a pair of private residential ponds, and because the State is taking swift action to address it, we will not find that it has spread beyond that location and we will be able to call this a success in invasive species management.” 

Additionally, the DNR asks that the public report any suspicious aquatic plants here, and include close-up photos and provide the location of the detection in the report.

For those interested in viewing other sightings of the plant, see a map of all the affected areas, here.