Plant
Identification
Waterleaf
 Description Management
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Photos
Hydrolea
spp.
Waterleaf is a perennial plant
that can form dense colonies in shallow water or moist soils and can
grow to 3 feet in height. Leaves are oval to lance-like (1 to 2 inches
long by 1/2 to 1 inch wide), on a short petiole usually with a 1/2
inch long spine or thorn in the leaf axis. Flowers are blue in one
sided or coiled clusters.
Submerged portions of
all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro
invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by
fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks,
etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria
and fungi provides food (called "detritus") for many aquatic invertebrates. Waterleaf has no direct food value for wildlife.
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" indicates Non-Native plants.