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Plant
Identification
Waterstargrass
 Description Management
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Photos
Heteranthera
dubia
Water stargrass is grass-like with thin branching dark-green stems and alternate
leaves with no prominent midvein. Water stargrass can grow up to 6
feet long and can form floating colonies. Flowers rise above the surface
and are bright yellow, \star-shaped, with 6 narrow petals. Water stargrass
reproduces from seeds and through fragmentation.
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. Water stargrass is consumed by ducks and wading birds but is not known as an important food item.
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Submerged
Plant Index
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" indicates Non-Native plants.