Hydrilla -- Orlando Sentinel Posted June 12, 2005

The nonnative plant was introduced in the early 1950s by a tropical-plant farmer from St. Louis, who imported it from Asia.

Hydrilla's estimated coverage: 95,000 Florida acres.

The invasive plant is rated by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council as Category 1, defined as a species that is invading and disrupting native plant communities.

Hydrilla is in 43% of Florida's public water bodies.
 

SOURCE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

• Grows into dense impenetrable mats in fresh water.

• May extend From bank-to-bank

• Tangles around propellers of motorized boats

• May tangle around swimmers

• Disrupts commercial fishing

• Damages infrastructure,
  water supply pump stations and damages other facilities.

• Reduces bio-diversity
   

Three Means of Eradication and Control:

1. Chemical Controls are Ineffective:

• temporary
• counter productive
• does more harm than good (Kills, native plants and fish, and poisons water.)

2. Biological Controls are Ineffective

• Imported insects become uncontrollable
• Insects may cause other problems
• Other means must be used to eradicate and control the insects

3. Mechanical Harvesting is Difficult, Slow, and Regulated

• Fish and native plants are also removed.